How the narrative around Nigerian suicides wants to change from criminalising action to caring
Mental health experts continue to argue imprisoning people after they must have attempted suicide is not the appropriate response as it does not show citizens’ wellbeing has been prioritised.
No matter their reason for attempting to take their lives, in Nigeria, the victims who dare to explore suicide in order to escape problems are, in the eyes of the law, guilty of a misdemeanor. But a process, in association with World Health Organisation (WHO) partners, is ongoing to change this narrative for good.
This move is being led by the Health and Social Welfare ministry headed by Prof. Muhammed Pate. It aims to totally eliminate the stigma that follows when a victim must have attempted suicide.
Being that Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act frowns against it and punishes so-called offenders for a year period, there have been records of people being put behind bars after they were rescued.
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Mental health experts continue to argue that this is not the appropriate response as it does not show citizens’ wellbeing has been prioritised. Turning the situation aright happened at a Thursday 19 September news conference commemorating the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day in the Federal Capital Territory.
At the press briefing witnessed, it was discovered that the health ministry had launched the National Suicide Strategic Framework (2023-2030) as a means to discourage people from an attempt to end their lives anytime there is a challenge.
![Aside the commitment from the Health and Social Welfare ministry's Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom to decriminalise suicide, private sector players are also exploring teletherapy to meet people's mental care needs through an app. [X - Fmohnigeria]](https://meiza.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/FMOH-Suicides.jpeg)
In addition to stating the strategic goals and measures being used to curb suicides internationally, the document emphasises decriminalising what has long being a crime since the colonial era of Nigeria being governed by British invaders. This effort to expunge suicide as an offence is being done in conjunction with the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office.
What the government says it wants to do instead of punishment and ostracism is to extend helping hands and support, rather than sensationalising reportage, the Permanent Secretary said, leading up to the news conference she was attending were other intentional actions have already been taken.
A tweet posted via X after the event confirmed that the health ministry has been implementing the WHO’s “LIVE LIFE” strategy for suicide prevention. This is being pushed as an evidence-based intervention, which calls for taking away the tools like poisonous substances that make suicide easy, and then equipping adolescents with life skills.
Publishers also have a role to play in the suicide prevention mix, so the health ministry has been advocating for responsible media reporting on suicide cases. To change the narrative, according to the cabinet member Prof. Pate and his representative, means shifting our focus from the tragedy of suicide to prevention.
Another instance of a shift will lead to moving away from taboos, stigma, and discrimination, towards empathy and positive cultural change. It helps that private sector partners are already onboarding onto the suicide prevention goals even from outside Nigeria.
This can be seen with the Athari mental health app that assists Nigerians struggling with depression issues to quickly get remote help.
Users, after logging on to Athari will be matched with an expert who will offer them insights that hopefully convinces them that the problems they are dealing with aren’t the worst in the world. Therefore, preventing the next possible case of suicide assuming assistance hadn’t been available.
Appealing to the noble hearts there present at the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day was the Health and Social Welfare Minister Prof. Muhammed Pate’s declaration, which reads: As we stand united, we acknowledge the pain and suffering of those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and we affirm our commitment to creating a society that supports and cares for those struggling with mental health issues.
This was reiterating what the World Health Organisation’s Country Representative in Nigeria tried to establish. Dr. Walter Mulombo, although not physically present at the commemoration but still had a voice, viewed a shift from the silent culture around suicide and the stigma that follows as what must be done collectively in order to reach the desired destination of caring for the depressed so that they can come out it.
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