Marking the World Suicide Prevention Day 2023

While Kenyans mark Utamaduni day today, (previously Moi Day), the world celebrates the World Mental health day. While for some it is nothing but a notion that they cannot relate with, for others it is a big deal. You think a family member is being too dramatic every time he gets emotional when you talk about his mother who has been dead for the past five years so you avoid them. You think a friend is just jealous of you because you got a job before she did so you ghost her for two years straight while stalking her on social media. You think your roommate is weird and overly dramatic because every time you get to the hostel from class she is crying. You think suicide is just a trending topic on twitter until it creeps into your backyard and takes one of your closest friends or family.

For a long time, Africans have always whispered when talking about suicide. Some even never talk about it. For some, the reason their children took their lives was because they had been 'bewitched by their enemies'. When someone dies of suicide in the African culture, they often fabricate it and call it bewitching or an accident. For a long time, they did not believe that suicide is a mental health issue caused by mental disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other personality disorders, no. In today's society however, mental health is an important part of the well being of a person. Many workplaces have incorporated mental hrealth awareness in their management plans.

As we mark the World Suicide Prevention Day, let us learn to hear our friends when they are silent and show love to strangers. Let us learn to be kind to everyone because kind words are never inappropriate. Sometimes toxic people and things take away our peace of mind and we remain weary and insecure about little things. Let us learn to speak up whenever we feel like we need intervention because it’s never too late to ask for help. #worldsuicidepreventionday

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