Nairobi,KENYA:As Kenyans celebrate world suicide prevention day, 7000 people are reported to commit suicide annually in Kenya due to various reasons.
According to the World Health Organization WHO, 800,000 people die as a result of suicide annually which represents 1 person in every 40 seconds.
Speaking during the commemoration of the event on Monday at the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi, the head of Mental Health Promotion at the ministry of Health Doctor Catherine Mutisia noted that, suicidal cases mainly result from stigma against people who seek help for suicidal behavior,mental illness and substance abuse.
“Many people engage in suicidal cases because of one reason or the other like loss of ones parents,job and exam failing that lead to a sense of isolation” said Dr Mutisia.
She added that, 16 percent of people in Kenya have in one way or the other tried to commit suicide in their lifetime.
She pointed that difficulties in accessing healthcare when in need,easy availability of the means to commit suicide, war ,disaster and Stress of displaced persons as major factors leading to suicidal tendencies .
Isaack Odongo who read a message from the Health PS, indicated that suicide is the fifth killer cause in the world and the government is tirelessly working on it to ensure that by the year 2030 the rate of suicide cases is reduced to 10 percent from the current 15 percent.
The Report shows suicide cases can be prevented by increased access to healthcare, promotion of mental health,reduction of abuse of alcohol,limiting access to means of suicide,assisting of vulnerable populations such as refugees and those bereaved by using suicide prevention strategies like setting up of toll free helplines,training of healthcare workers,education and strong personal relationships .
World suicide prevention day is commemorated every 10th September and this is the second time its being commemorated in Kenya.
