Experts raise the alarm over silent signs of suicide - Punch Newspapers

Founder, She Woman Writes, Hauwa Ojeifo.

Despite being regarded as a cultural taboo subject, with the act of suicide itself shrouded in superstitious beliefs, news reports of it happening sporadically emerge. Last year, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reported that over 15,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually, with young people between 15 and 29 most affected. Under Section 327 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code, attempting suicide is classified as a misdemeanour punishable by up to a year in prison. Stakeholders and national conversations led by the government have pushed heavily to reform laws, including moving away from criminalising attempted suicide and treating survivors with medical and psychological support rather than prosecution. Various studies have also identified mental health, the state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community, as a major risk factor for suicide. On Thursday, September 10, when World Suicide Prevention Day was commemorated globally, the founder of She Woman Writes, Hauwa Ojeifo, recounted her experience in an interview on Channels Television. She said, “About 10 years ago, I had a near-suicide attempt. I attempted to take my own life, but the backstory behind that is that of a double diagnosis of bipolar disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Ojeifo pointed out that, like many other people in the country living with a mental health condition, she described the layers of “navigating the lack of language most of us grew up with” for understanding and expressing emotions and traumas that have shaped experiences. “After my diagnosis, medications and therapy, I decided to use my own story, first off as an outlet for my own self, but perhaps to also speak for people who didn’t have the privilege or the opportunity to be able to harness their platforms to amplify persons with mental health conditions and their lived experiences,” she added. Figures across countries In the United States, there were 48,824 suicide-related deaths recorded in 2024, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death overall in the US. Latest Eurostat data showed that 48,370 European Union residents died as a result of intentional self-harm, corresponding to 1.0 per cent of all deaths in 2023. This is equivalent to a standardised death rate of 10.4 deaths per 100,000 people, a slight drop from 10.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022 and 12.2 in 2013. The number of deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents was highest in Lithuania (18.8), Slovenia (16.4) and Hungary (16.1), and lowest in Cyprus (3.5), Greece (4.3) and Malta (5.5). A report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development last year showed that Asia accounts for roughly 60 per cent of all suicide deaths globally, with significant regional variations in rates per 100,000 people. South Korea (~29.1 per 100,000), Mongolia (~28.1 per 100,000) and Kazakhstan (~17.6 per 100,000) report the highest estimated figures in the region. Japan and India record moderate-to-high levels at roughly 15.4 and 12.9 per 100,000, respectively. The lowest rates were found in Armenia, the Philippines and Tajikistan, which report some of the lowest regional rates, staying under three per 100,000 people. According to Trading Economics World Bank data for Nigeria, Nigeria’s recorded suicide mortality rate stood at 4.99 per 100,000 population. The World Bank and World Health Organisation metrics place the recorded rate in Nigeria near 4.99 deaths per 100,000 people based on consolidated figures. In a report, the WHO noted that the link between suicide and mental disorders, in particular depression and alcohol use disorders, and a previous suicide attempt is well established in high-income countries. “However, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship disputes, or chronic pain and illness. Prioritise mental health, financial discipline, experts urge women entrepreneurs Sleeping with earbuds may trigger hearing loss, say ENT specialists How parents fuel diabetes, obesity in children with poor food choices “In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour. Suicide rates are also high among vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex persons; and prisoners. “Globally, the availability and quality of data on suicide and self-harm is poor. Only some 80 WHO Member States have good-quality vital registration data that can be used directly to estimate suicide rates,” the WHO stated. Prevention: Watch the signs Highlighting effective suicide prevention strategies, the WHO urged governments and stakeholders to improve surveillance and monitoring of suicide and self-harm. It called for a study of the cross-national differences in the patterns of suicide and changes in the rates, characteristics and methods of suicide, highlighting the need for each country to improve the comprehensiveness, quality and timeliness of their suicide-related data. The global agency also mentioned several measures that can be taken at population, sub-population and individual levels, which include limiting access by those at risk to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications) and interacting with the media for responsible reporting of suicide. Others include fostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents and the early identification, assessment, management and follow-up of anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviours. “Suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labour, agriculture, business, justice, law, defence, politics and the media. These efforts must be comprehensive and integrated given the multifaceted nature of suicide,” the WHO said. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a psychiatrist, Dr Victor Essien, explained that suicide rarely occurs without some indication that a person is struggling, although the warning signs may be subtle. He added that recognising them early can provide an opportunity to intervene and save a life. “One of the most important warning signs is talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, being a burden to others, or believing there is no reason to continue living. Such statements should never be dismissed as mere attention-seeking. “Changes in behaviour are equally important. A person may suddenly withdraw from family and friends, lose interest in previously enjoyed activities, neglect work or personal care, or experience marked changes in sleep, appetite or substance use. “Giving away valued possessions, saying unusual goodbyes, putting personal affairs in order, or searching for ways to die should raise immediate concern. Surprisingly, someone who has been severely depressed may sometimes appear suddenly calm after deciding on suicide,” Essien noted. He further clarified that the risk is particularly concerning when the aforementioned signs occur alongside severe depression, agitation, recent bereavement, relationship breakdown, financial or legal difficulties, chronic illness, substance misuse, or a previous suicide attempt. “Importantly, asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea into their mind. It can open the door to an important conversation. “If suicidal thoughts, plans or preparations are present, the person should not be left alone and should receive urgent professional assessment,” Essien added. Also speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a psychotherapist, Michael Jacob, noted that the common causes of suicide in this part of the world include, but are not limited to, grief from the loss of loved ones and mental health issues like depression. He stressed that medical depression, addiction to drugs, domestic violence and stigmatisation, and, at other times, the fear of facing consequences after wrongdoing, isolation or loneliness, and inaccessibility to mental health practitioners can also be risk factors. Highlighting ways to help people struggling with suicidal thoughts, Jacob said, “Help dissociate them from isolation and loneliness by being around friends and family and having a sense of belonging. Being cared for, valued, and supported can help reduce the thoughts or even eradicate them. Also, taking them to social gatherings where they can let it all out can help. “Our traditional and religious leaders propagating cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation can also help re-pattern and redirect their beliefs, hence changing their thoughts. “Easy access to mental health practitioners for interventions and support for help-seeking suicidal persons. Most people with suicidal thoughts wouldn’t go ahead with the thoughts if they could easily access interventions like therapy. People around them should show them love, compassion and listening ears. Never judge them or question their thoughts.” Victor Ayeni Victor is a Senior Correspondent at Punch Newspapers’ Features Desk with over ten years of experience as a writer and blogger. He has reported on a wide range of topics, including Lagos State Government affairs and Lagos politics, blending in-depth research with engaging storytelling. Victor’s work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a dedication to clear, accurate, and compelling journalism.

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