Although Africa is the world’s second-largest and second most populous continent, research on suicide in Africa is limited by a lack of systematic data collection.
Suicide and suicide attempts cause serious emotional, physical, and economic impacts. But the good news is that suicide is preventable, and everyone has an important role to play in saving lives and building a healthier society.
Many African countries are faced with the challenges surrounding suicide and suicidal behaviours. But there is a lack of comprehensive research and professional help available to tackle these challenges.
Suicide Rate in Africa
Suicide rates in Africa have been thought to be very low because there isn’t much information known about the incidence and patterns of suicide and suicide attempts across the continent.
Due to the socio-cultural factors of the continent, suicide mortality rates may be underreported, underestimated or kept hidden from the public. This creates a huge limitation for the problems and issues surrounding suicide and suicidal behaviours to be properly addressed.
Studies reporting on suicide show higher rates in males than in females. However, the gender difference in rates may vary across different countries.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in young people. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that only young people die by suicide. Young people experience more stress; this could be due to unmet expectations and demands from their governments. When emotionally overwhelmed and in the absence of people to confide in, they tend to develop suicidal thoughts.
Challenges to suicide prevention also include stigma. Thus, people thinking of taking their own life or who may have attempted suicide are not seeking help, and when they do, they may likely not get the help they need.
The prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due to a lack of awareness of suicide as a major public health problem. Suicide is one of the taboo topics in Africa, and only a few countries have included suicide prevention in their health sector.
There is an urgent need for qualitative studies and research to be done in Africa to compile reliable suicide mortality statistics. So, raising community awareness and removing the taboo is important for African countries to make progress in preventing suicide.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for suicide in Africa include physical health problems, mental health problems and socioeconomic problems. These problems, when individually identified, may include;
- Lack of health care, especially mental health treatment
- Loss of a relationship
- Poverty/financial problems
- Unemployment/loss of a job
- Stigma associated with asking for help
- Cultural and religious beliefs
- Lack of family or social support
- Mental illness
- Alcohol and other substance use disorders
- Victimisation
- Abandonment by a loved one
Note that these risk factors are likely to vary across different regions and cultural groups.
Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely for a person to consider, attempt or die by suicide; they do not cause or predict a suicide.
Related: What You Need To know About World Suicide Prevention Day
Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention is the measures taken to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. These measures start with recognising the warning signs and taking them seriously.
Warning signs of suicide:
- Talking or writing about suicide
- Suicidal statements even on social media
- Making preparations or seeking out things they would not normally need
- Social withdrawal
- High-risk and self-destructive behaviour
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose.
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Unusual or unexpected goodbye message
- Putting affairs in order
- Talking about being a burden to others
Prevention steps:
If you notice any of the above-mentioned warning signs in a loved one, you can help save their life by:
- Asking: It is okay to reach out and directly ask if they are thinking about suicide.
- Encourage the person to communicate with you
- Stay connected with them
- Be supportive and listen without judgement
- Be respectful and acknowledge the person’s feelings
- Encourage the person to take steps to get help
- Get resources for assistance and support.
In a society where mental health is stigmatised and sharing personal problems could result in being criticised, it is necessary to understand that people may not be open about their struggles. But that shouldn’t stop you from reaching out to them and being supportive in any way you can.
Also read: Why Mental Health Awareness In Africa Is Important
What Would It Take To Prevent More Suicides in Africa?
We cannot control everything. Grief, loss, and the things that break a person are not always within anyone’s reach. But that is not the same as being helpless.
Some of what drives suicide in Africa is structural and can be changed. Unemployment, poverty and the near-total absence of mental health care are policy failures, not facts of life. Stigma is something we build and maintain ourselves, and we can dismantle it the same way. And the shortage of trained professionals is a funding decision, not an act of God.
Measures can be taken to reduce the occurrence of suicide and suicidal behaviours. For this purpose, if we all work together, we can increase the public’s awareness of suicide and get people the support they need.
Conclusion
Mental health conditions such as depression and substance use are among the strongest risk factors for suicide. This is why we must keep creating mental health awareness, not just for suicide prevention but for every other mental health problem we face in our society.
More research is needed for the implementation of preventative measures to improve the prediction of suicide in mental disorders.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, call your local suicide prevention hotline. If someone is in immediate danger, please call your local emergency number.
Nigeria:
- Nigeria Emergency Hotline: 112
- Nigerian Suicide Prevention Initiative Counselling Centre: +234 806 210 6493
International:
- Kenya – Befrienders Kenya: +254 722 178 177
- Ghana – Suicide Prevention Helpline: +233 208 532 165
- Uganda – Mental Health Uganda: +256 414 664 264
- South Africa – (SADAG) 0800 567 567
You can also check our list of mental health NGOs in Africa to find one in your country that offers support.
Author: Chinasa Lovlyn Nwachukwu is a mental health coach and writer with an MSc in Psychology, passionate about raising mental health awareness across Africa.
