WINDHOEK – The increase in suicide cases during this time of the year is attributed mainly to failed expectations and pressure to accomplish resolutions set at the beginning of the year.
Clinical psychologist Dr Shaun Whittaker said yesterday that suicide is a huge problem in Namibia. “Namibia has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world,” said Whittaker. He said this time of the year, until the end of the year, a relatively high number of suicides are recorded compared to any other season mainly because learners and students are under pressure to perform very well. “It’s a pattern every year. This time of the year psychologists are busiest of all because of students,” Whittaker said. Although the Christmas holiday season brings with it the joy of spending time with loved ones, unemployed young people are often likely to take their own lives because of financial pressures. This is because they are unable to make financial contributions, Whittaker explained. This creates in them a sense of worthlessness and depression, he added.
Windhoek City Police Senior Superintendent, Gerry Shikesho, last week said: “This season (spring) has started off on a bad note.” Shikesho, who spoke to New Era concerning two young men who ended their lives last week added that between now and December many people tend to take their own lives. The change in seasons has a direct impact on some people’s moods, Shikesho believes. He said there are many suicides towards the end of the year because people fail to meet the resolutions they have set for themselves in January. “It has never gone down, suicide is a problem this time of the year,” said Shikesho yesterday.
People who attempt to commit suicide and those who do succeed in taking their own lives often show signs of depression, Whittaker said. “Simply put they are not themselves anymore,” he added, cautioning that some people show no obvious signs at all.
Suicide statistics since September last year to August this year in the Oshana Region indicate that 18 people killed themselves during that period, according to the Chief Social Worker in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Betsy du Plessis. Of the 18 people who committed suicide, 15 hanged themselves, added Du Plessis.
The oldest person was 64 while the youngest was ten years old, she said. During the same period, a total of 33 attempted suicides were recorded in the Zambezi Region, said Du Plessis. The //Karas Region recorded nine suicides from April last year to February this year, Du Plessis said, adding that the oldest person was 54 years old while the youngest was 20 years old. She could however not provide statistics for the other regions as they have not been compiled yet.
According to Du Plessis, however, the increase in suicide cases is not specific to a certain period. “Nowadays it doesn’t matter which time of the year people commit suicide,” she said. Du Plessis however noted that learners are normally under pressure this time of the year to pass their exams and this could lead to suicidal thoughts and even actual suicide.
Pastor Brian Philander of the Gospel Mission International Church based in Rehoboth said suicides are not recorded in October only. However, from September to December suicide cases increase because of more stress and pressure on learners and students to excel academically, he noted.
Philander said: “Preachers must encourage people on how to deal with problems in their lives. They (preachers) are not equipping them to deal with the pressures of life, preachers must be more in touch with the realities.”
Alvine Kapitako