Paheja Siririka
As Namibia continues to battle a wave of suicide, experts have pointed to the lack of traditional support systems, the inability to overcome adversity and misguided masculinity as factors contributing to the unfolding crisis.
About 849 persons have taken their lives from January 2021 until August this year, according to police statistics. Losing a loved one to suicide is an unbearable and unexplainable feeling that leaves one with many unanswered questions.
Moses Hamutenya (26), who lost his elder brother earlier this year, said it was difficult to accept the death. “Even right now, it is not easy,” he said, hoping this is just a nightmare he would wake up from. “It is so painful to lose a family member through that way. As a family, we have to consult each other and promise each other to talk about whatever is bothering us.”
He said the family did not seek or receive professional help but pastors from their church comforted them during the mourning period. “I think, personally, that is not enough. We never got any social worker to take us through the grieving process. So, we are still struggling with his passing, but what can we do? We put everything in the hands of the Lord and pray more,” said the Ohangwena-based Hamutenya. Often, the circumstances of the suicide also leave emotional trauma for the loved ones of the victim.
Jonas Immanuel from Okatope lost his brother, who committed suicide by stabbing himself with a knife.
In an interview with New Era, he said it was not his brother’s first attempt. The family intervened by taking him to church leaders for counselling.
“We tried all we could to assist him, but he still killed himself. Our late brother told us that there was a voice in his mind, telling him to commit suicide,” he said. He said their parents were about to take him to some traditional healers to see if they could help, but he escaped from the house and committed suicide in the bushes. “We followed his footsteps until we discovered his dead body,” recalled Immanuel.
He added they regret not keeping a closer eye on him as he showed signs of wanting to commit suicide. “We received professional counselling services from various church leaders. As a family, we sat together and found solace,” said Immanuel.
Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents, and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-to 19-year-olds.
Government has, therefore, initiated a suicide task force in the Khomas region to curb the escalating number of deaths as a result of suicide. Health deputy minister Esther Muinjangue recently said the country’s statistics are worrisome and an indication for government to act on suicide prevention.
“Namibia, with its small population, loses a lot of lives due to suicide,” she said. Deteriorating mental health post-Covid-19 continues to play a role, as life has gotten tough, especially when it comes to finances. A lack of good coping skills, good problem-solving skills and an insufficient support network could be some of the reasons why people who struggle with mental health issues commit suicide, said Windhoek-based clinical psychologist Dr Käthe Burkhardt.
‘Veldfire’
She said people who commit suicide are despondent and feel there is no other way out of an ordeal they find themselves in. Worryingly, she said, suicides cause more suicides. “Your psychosocial circumstances and the psychosocial stresses play a role. Then there is the factor of having high suicide stats. There is also this thing of ‘if my friend did it, I can do it as well’.”
Burkhardt added: “Suicide has that contamination factor. A veld fire effect; somebody around us has done it then you need to look at all those people and be careful and monitor suicide risk. If somebody around me has done it, then it seems like a possible solution”.
Out of the 790 people who committed suicide between January 2021 and July 2022, 649 were adult males: 102 were adult females and 39 persons were under the age of 18. Out of the total number, 124 were from the Omusati region, of which 99 were adult men, 19 were adult women and six youths (five girls and one boy).
With countrywide statistics showing that men commit suicide more, debates on the issue have ruffled feathers. Some state men are weak and unable to express themselves and societal pressure of what defines a man could be the reason why more men opt to end their lives.
“I do not think they are weak. I just think they are very desperate, and they do not have good coping skills. It takes guts to commit suicide. They feel hopeless and despondent. Sometimes, there is an impulsive factor with it. However, they just feel very, very despondent… a lot of despair. In addition, there is just not knowing how to get out of a situation. Will it ever get better? I think it is a misunderstanding if you say that men commit suicide because they are weak,” said Burkhardt. She said there is no given recipe indicating that a person who wants to will commit suicide because while some say they will do it, others do not show any sign. These signs should not be taken lightly.
Counselling church
As most Namibians do not have the means to afford around N$1 000 per session for therapy and access to other forms of psychosocial support is not easily available, many resort to church leaders for help.
However, this avenue comes with its drawbacks.
Acting general secretary of the Council of Churches of Namibia (CCN) Ludwig Beukes said pastors need to be well-equipped to know how to handle emotional issues.
Men’s fellowships need to address issues affecting men. “One of the main causes of suicide among men is when women end love affairs. The issue is not knowing how to handle rejection. Men find it difficult to verbalise their negative feelings. Men feel seeking help is a sign of weakness,” said Beukes.
He said the rate of suicide in the country is choking and concerning to CCN, adding “It is a wake-up call for the church to do something about the issue”. Well-known cleric bishop Lukas Katenda opines young people are not emotionally or psychologically matured – let alone strong enough to take or swallow life’s difficulties.
“Their conclusions about themselves and their purported abilities and their lovers are always based on immature analysis and observation. Young men must agree and swallow the idea that they must learn to wait until they are strong enough to face the realities of life,” he feels.
Cultural norm
Reverend Pumzile Magazi said an issue perpetuating the increase in suicides could be attributed to African perceptions: when a boy or young man tells his parents, siblings or friends he is depressed, he is not taken seriously until it is too late.
“Men feel embarrassed to go for help, and men have problems with female psychologists. The term counselling scares men. We should use a different term – even though it is the same thing,” said Magazi.
“I think our society is in trouble. Our young men are hurting; they are insecure and no one understands or is speaking sense to them. And they find solace in the bottle, sex and drugs. And if this trend continues, we are investing in a lost generation.
– psiririka@nepc.com.na