The rampant cases of depression have increased over time. Outlined as a mental illness or disorder which was characterized by different negative thoughts, have been confirmed to have a significant morbidity and mortality rates. Factually, the prevalence of depression in Nigeria has now been estimated at 3.1 percent. Globally, the estimate of people living with depression also witnessed an increase by 49.86 percent, from 142 million to 258 million in 2017. Notably, the Western sub-Saharan Africa also witnessed a 124.24 percent increase in the cases of depression.
Reports indicates that over the last 12 months, there has been a surge in the cases of suicide, mostly among young people. Frequently, many of these suicide cases continually flood social media spaces with no clear reportage to the authorities. In fact, Nigeria is said to have the highest rate of suicide and depression in Africa and sixth in the world. The current rate of suicide in Nigeria is 9.50 percent out of every 100,000 persons. According to suicide reports in Nigeria, the highest media rate are 0.27 per 100,000 people in the South West, 0.22 in the North Central, 0.21 in the South East and 0.19 in the South South.
With 17.3%, Nigeria becomes an epicenter for suicide globally.
More worrisome is the 2019 report of the World Health Organization (WHO) titled “Suicide in the World: Global Health Estimates”, which indicated that Nigeria had become one of the epicenters for suicide globally with a suicide rate of 17.3 per 100,000, higher than the global estimate of 10.5 percent per 100,000 and Africa with 12.0 percent per 100,000. Recent survey reported a mixed trend of failed and successful cases of suicide within the past 2 months. One of these incidents involved a Kebbi State student.
Also, another man was said to have taken his own life in Imo State. This man, Austin also known as Biggy allegedly killed himself at Umunwalo, off CGG road Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. Reports stated that he hung himself to a fan in his room. Another reported case involved a final year student of the Federal Polytechnics, Oko. Per reports, it was gathered that this student committed suicide over a failed relationship.
Link between economic status and mental health, the catalyst for suicide.
In November, another lady was reported to have jumped off the third mainland bridge into a lagoon in Lagos State. On the recent prevalence of suicide in Nigeria, Dr. Okwudili Obayi, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital who also doubles as the National Publicity Secretary of Psychiatrists in Nigeria in an interview, noted that the relationship between economic status and mental health which catalyzes suicide. He noted that as at the period when Nigeria experienced an economic recession in 2015 and 2016, the suicide rate immensely skyrocketed.
Dr. Robsam Ohayi, a health expert also noted that things go wrong and people lose hope. As such, he asserted that depression was one major catalyst for suicide, a poignant reason why psychiatrists warn people who battle depression to present themselves for much needed evaluations and assistance. He further pointed out that though there are sets of people who kill themselves rapidly, most depressed people manifest symptoms over a period of time. Ohayi concluded that everything was as a result of loss of hope, where people lose themselves mentally.
Stigmatization stopping suicide victims from coming out.
He noted that the stigmatization attached to victims of suicide have worsened the situation. According to him, even families of suicide victims get stigmatized and prevented from upholding certain social and religious rites like marriage and title rights. Giving an instance of suicide victims not being buried, Ohayi pointed out that these social constructions have stopped suicide and depressed victims from coming out. He however stated that rather than stigmatizing, re-integrating these victims into the society with love was immensely important in enhancing their mental health.
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Depression, the leading cause of suicide – Surge in suicide rate especially among young people over the last 12 months. – Express your point of view.
Lots of factors are responsible for people to commit suicide which of it are very rampant in Nigeria.The economy is the first factor and Nigeria economy is nothing to write about this time, business is not moving, inflation rate is way too much with can lead people to depression.
It is very true that depression is mostly the root cause of suicide. When a person is depressed, they are not able to think of anything but to end it all. We should show love to people so they know suicide won’t solve any problem
Psychiatrists strongly urge depressed individuals to seek help by seeking evaluation, as depression has been found to play a significant role in suicidal ideation and behavior.
Suicide is usually caused by depression. A despondent individual can only think of ending it all.
Depression was a major cause of suicide, thus psychiatrists advise depressed patients to seek help.
Nigeria as a country has cause so many Depression due to hardship in Nigeria. Depression can lead to suicide. Suicide is not the best option, we really need to support ourselves and also encourage others who are passing through a lot. Our government has failed us
It is really disheartening to learn that the number of people suffering from depression has steadily grown throughout the years.
A psychological disease or disorder that was defined by a variety of negative thoughts has been confirmed to have considerable morbidity and mortality rates. This condition was outlined as a mental illness or disorder.
It is not uncommon for many of these suicide situations to repeatedly flood social media platforms, yet there is no clear reportage of these cases to the police.
Depression was a significant factor in the decision to take one’s own life, which is a poignant reason why psychiatrists urge patients who struggle with depression to seek the diagnosis and assistance they so desperately need.
When someone is depressed, all they can think about is ending their life and putting an end to their misery. People need to be shown love so they can see that taking their own life is not the answer to any situation.
Instead of stigmatizing these victims, re-integrating them with compassion into society was tremendously crucial in improving their mental health.
Even the family of those who have taken their own lives face stigma and are often barred from participating in certain social and religious events, such as marriage and the acquisition of title rights.
Depression is real o and make people commit suicide the way think are can make be thinking and go into depression and can lead to suicide we just need to encourage and support each other so stop people going into depression wish can make them do bad things
Suicide had depression as a major contributing factor, which is why doctors caution those who struggle with depression to seek the necessary assessments and support.
Depression can lead to suicide. Suicide is not the best option, we really need to support ourselves and also encourage others who are passing through a lot. Though the gov’t has failed us depression/suicide should not be an option.
Depression is one of those things people hardly pay attention to or talk about. Lot of people are battling depression for diverse reasons. And some victims battle in silence till the point of suicide. It’s really sad
It is unquestionably true that depression is primarily to blame for suicides. When someone is depressed, all they can think about is ending it all. People need to see our love in order to understand that suicide won’t fix any issues.
Lost of hope created by the economic situation of country has lead to so many depression currently experienced which eventually result in suicide. Philanthropist should step in, people with great minds should assist in ameliorating the level depression currently being experience in the country.
We experience depression when there is a mental detection of hopelessness which result in suicide. The present situation of the country must have prompted the rise in suicide cases.