Hardships, poverty blamed for suicide spike
By a Correspondent
THE economic hardships and poverty the people of Zambia are facing have contributed to the rising number of suicide cases in the country, the Democratic Union (DU) has said.
Speaking at a mental health workshop in Lusaka Sunday, DU president Ackim Njobvu said Zambia was witnessing disturbing cases of both young and old people taking their own lives as a result of the many financial burdens they face.
He said the rising number of suicide cases was not only a worrying situation but a health concern as its effects were detrimental to society.
“It is unfortunate that, almost daily, reports of suspected suicide are recorded in the country. This means there is an urgent need to invest in mental health and institutions that will offer mental health services. This trend is deeply worrying and unfortunate, it is linked to high stress levels caused by financial struggles many of our people are facing,” he said.
Njobvu said the high levels of poverty in the country undermined family values, unity, and national development, while adding pain through suicides.
He warned that unresolved economic hardships were pushing more people to the brink.
Njobvu said the government needed to review its economic policy to incorporate the aspect of mental health, which should be a priority, as with physical health.
“We need to acknowledge that mental health is just as important as physical health. It’s time we prioritise investment in mental health institutions, like Chainama, which provide vital services to those in need. We need to remember that issues of mental health in most cases are a result of economic hardships people are going through,” he said.
Njobvu urged Zambians to break the stigma associated with `mental health by creating safe spaces for those in distress.
