ONGWEDIVA – Incidents of suicide, often associated with young people, are becoming a shocking concern as more and more elderly people over the age of 50 commit suicide in the northern regions.
Although statistics for the country are not readily available Oshana Region Police Deputy Commissioner Rauha Amwele says the situation is indeed worrisome. “In just this month alone we have had four suicide cases of elderly people reported here in the region and we don’t know the reasons,” said Amwele. Beginning January 2014 and just last week four elderly people between the ages 57 and 69 took their own lives. One of them a female killed herself in the most gruesome way by setting her room ablaze while inside, in an incident that has left both her relatives and residents of Onghuni village in the Oshana Region highly traumatised.
Again in the first week of January a 63-year-old male, Tobias Namlandu from Oshikulu-Ompandakani village was also found hanging from a Mopani tree in his homestead in yet another suicide, while a 69-year-old woman was found hanging from her kitchen ceiling by the house help at Oshamale also in the Oshana Region. Also, last Friday a 59-year-old-man, Oscar Shikongo from Ekaku village in the Oshikoto Region shot and killed himself with a rifle after locking himself up in his bedroom. No suicide notes were left behind which could have helped to shed some light on the reasons for the act, leaving families devastated and with more questions than answers.
Clinical psychologist Dr Shaun Whittaker explained that suicide among the elderly is often the result of serious medical conditions, adding that most elderly people think their lives are coming to an end. “They have raised children who have become independent and are living their own lives, so the elderly often feel that their children do not need them and sometimes they might even feel like they are a burden,” said Whittaker. He said medical expenses, the high cost of food, water and rent makes them think and feel isolated and lonely as often their life partners have long passed away so they have nothing to look forward to. “Daily life for most elderly is about emotional and often physical suffering. They obviously experience depression and regard suicide as a way out,” explained Whittaker.
By Kakunawe Shinana