World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD)
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is marked yearly on September 10. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and WHO are organisations associated with the day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.
One would've thought suicide is not an issue with African nations and Nigeria, but recent happenings prove that this is not so. Only on Wednesday, a final year student of Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education in Bayelsa State committed suicide after losing his lover to another man. He reportedly drank a bottle of liquid insecticide, which eventually killed him.
His friend while speaking on the incident said he was shocked because he spoke with him and even shook hands with him some days before it happened. So one may wonder why this happened if he wasn't withdrawn, which is one of the red-lights a depressed person gives?
So, here are some things to consider:
Take a Minute
Taking a minute to reach out to someone in your community – a family member, friend, colleague or even a stranger – could change the course of another’s life.
Take a minute to notice what is going on with you, your family, your friends and your colleagues.
Take a minute to reach out and start a conversation if you notice something is different.
There's also a Take 5 to Save Lives campaign.
This campaign encourages everyone to take 5 minutes out of their day and complete five action items:
1. Learn the warning signs
2. Do your part
3. Practise self-care
4. Reach out
5. Spread the word
So guys, suicide is something we should be concerned about. I know this because I recently went through a phase of illness, which led to increased blood pressure and some sort of anxiety and depression. I couldn't understand what was happening, but I prayed about it and spoke to some trusted persons about it. Even after running series of tests, I couldn't tell what was wrong. I had a support system, God, family, and medical advice. I gradually came out of it all.
An artist, Harrysong, recently made a post on social media that looked like a suicide note. It was subsequently revealed that he was experiencing a bout of depression and got professional help. Some persons were able to reach out to him after the post and were probably instrumental to his getting the needed help. What if he didn't make that post? Social media isn't all bad as some people may think. It helps you escape even death sometimes.
Bottomline is, learn to talk to someone about your issues. As they say, a problem shared is half solved, or better still, some weight would be taken off your chest. Also learn to reach out to people whenever you can. You never know what that friend of yours may be going through.
One would've thought suicide is not an issue with African nations and Nigeria, but recent happenings prove that this is not so. Only on Wednesday, a final year student of Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education in Bayelsa State committed suicide after losing his lover to another man. He reportedly drank a bottle of liquid insecticide, which eventually killed him.
His friend while speaking on the incident said he was shocked because he spoke with him and even shook hands with him some days before it happened. So one may wonder why this happened if he wasn't withdrawn, which is one of the red-lights a depressed person gives?
So, here are some things to consider:
Take a Minute
Taking a minute to reach out to someone in your community – a family member, friend, colleague or even a stranger – could change the course of another’s life.
Take a minute to notice what is going on with you, your family, your friends and your colleagues.
Take a minute to reach out and start a conversation if you notice something is different.
There's also a Take 5 to Save Lives campaign.
This campaign encourages everyone to take 5 minutes out of their day and complete five action items:
1. Learn the warning signs
2. Do your part
3. Practise self-care
4. Reach out
5. Spread the word
So guys, suicide is something we should be concerned about. I know this because I recently went through a phase of illness, which led to increased blood pressure and some sort of anxiety and depression. I couldn't understand what was happening, but I prayed about it and spoke to some trusted persons about it. Even after running series of tests, I couldn't tell what was wrong. I had a support system, God, family, and medical advice. I gradually came out of it all.
An artist, Harrysong, recently made a post on social media that looked like a suicide note. It was subsequently revealed that he was experiencing a bout of depression and got professional help. Some persons were able to reach out to him after the post and were probably instrumental to his getting the needed help. What if he didn't make that post? Social media isn't all bad as some people may think. It helps you escape even death sometimes.
Bottomline is, learn to talk to someone about your issues. As they say, a problem shared is half solved, or better still, some weight would be taken off your chest. Also learn to reach out to people whenever you can. You never know what that friend of yours may be going through.
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