Many African countries have high rates of Suicide to fight. Simple explanations for that. It is clear, however: There is a lack of intensive research on causes of and professional advice.
Hiram Chomba is a psychotherapist and the passion. He spares no effort to reach his patients in the more remote, rural communities. Time he is with the motorcycle on the road, he is sitting in the Matatu, as the minibuses are called in Kenya. Chomba lives in Embu, a small town near the capital Nairobi. For four years he worked in the organization “Befrienders Kenya”. There, he helps people suffering from depression, even thoughts of suicide. And he supports those who come often with the mentally ill in contact. “At the moment, I’m going to focus on the Training of probation officers, have a lot to do with suicidal people,” says Chomba.
Kenya: “A real crisis”
“The Figures are worrying – in Kenya this is already a real crisis.” Chomba cited from a report of the Ministry of health, which in the East African country every day four people die by suicide. But not only in Kenya, other African countries have rates according to the world health organization (WHO), with high Suicidal to fight. In some countries, such as Nigeria or the ivory coast, the Numbers with more than 15 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants, even higher than in most European countries, the USA or China.
The psychotherapist Chomba fears that the official Figures in Kenya are just the tip of the iceberg. There is simply no reliable data for suicides in the country. “In Kenya, mental health is not classified as a priority, there is little access to trained workers,” says Chomba. 100 psychiatrist for approximately 45 million Kenyans have jurisdiction to psychologists, there is even less.
Men at risk rather
Chombas organization “Befrienders Kenya” has a free psychological counseling center in the capital set up. There, women are looking for most help, the life in the urban center. However, the country is widely seen by the majority of the Affected men, says Chomba. He sees one of the reasons for the psychological problems of many people in a changing society.
Hiram Chomba at a Workshop on suicide prevention at a school in Nairobi
“The disintegration of Parts of the traditional culture has contributed to the rise in suicide rates,” says Chomba sure. The economic development have led to the Disappearance of cultural norms and practices, the social and cultural expectations, especially in men have changed. The African Mantra of ‘I am because we are’ losing, according to Chomba in modern African societies, the importance of.
Education against stigma
Alcohol abuse is also widespread and a early signs for depression. “We want to counteract. We are in contact with local businesses, religious leaders, politicians, tribal elders and the police.” Through awareness campaigns Chomba and his colleagues want to fight the stigma of Depression and relatives, neighbors and colleagues to help recognize the symptoms of Suicidal better.
That Depression and suicide in Africa are often still taboo subjects, is also confirmed by Megan Vaughan. She is a Professor for African history and health at University College London. However, the awareness of the need to understand Depression as a disease that waxes. In South Africa, for example, be moved by the HIV-crisis, the issue of mental health more strongly in the focus of Public attention, meanwhile, professional psychological counseling are no longer a rarity. “In the past there were the Ancient, the gifts of the Council. But the young people need other forms of assistance that match your life circumstances better,” said Vaughan in a DW Interview.
Social upheavals will not be the sole reason for the suicides, says the health of historian Megan Vaughan
“Never a reason”
She, too, sees a reason for the high suicide rates in the upheavals of society. “Life is changing rapidly, also in Africa. The urbanization is no longer increasing at a rapid pace, people live in village structures and family ties,” says Vaughan. However, this approach alone was too simplistic. In traditional African societies, there had been earlier suicide, the historian. “There is never only one reason why people commit suicide, this is true for all regions of the world.”
There is still much more research to depression and suicides in Africa to be able to clear conclusions, and the prevention, accordingly, calls for Vaughan. The psychotherapist Hiram Chomba sees urgent need for action. For him, the lack of awareness of mental illness, the drive is going to remain in the communities and educate people. “I, too, have lost family members through suicide,” he says. “We need to act.”
The Deutsche Welle reports cautious on the subject of suicide, since there is evidence that some forms of reporting can lead to imitation reactions. If you entertain even thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress stuck, do not hesitate to seek help. Where there is help in your country, see the Website https://www.befrienders.org/.