WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT SUICIDE: HOLD MY HANDS AND I WILL KNOW ALL WILL BE WELL BY: ADENIKE AKINJOBI

WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT SUICIDE: HOLD MY HANDS AND I WILL KNOW ALL WILL BE WELL BY: ADENIKE AKINJOBI

  January 13, 2019    Victor Jegede

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WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT SUICIDE: HOLD MY HANDS AND I WILL KNOW ALL WILL BE WELL BY: ADENIKE AKINJOBI

The suicide reports that are alarmingly recurrent in the news and on social media platforms prompted this writeup. There was never a time when this unfortunate incidents were not happening, the present alarming rate is what is worrisome.

Why are we seeing more of this ‘depressing’ happenings?
I think the Nigerian society is changing and we are not setting up ‘guards’ to ‘maintain’ the new us. We are no longer living the communal life we were known for; the extended family system is breaking up, the good neighborliness that used to be our pride fast disappearing.

We are imbibing cultures that are alien to ours without taking on their management system. For someone like me, I know that the management of stress, grief and other emotional issues rest solely on the sufferer in our society.

Our institutions train professionals in these areas but only those who have got to the very ‘edge’ are reluctantly taken to the facilities for fear of stigmatisation. When people go through traumatic experiences, no one points to them the direction of proper healthcare. They are left to battle it alone and everyone assumes you should get over it few days after.

After all, a local saying claims a bad thing goes ‘normal’ after three days.

The Nigerian situation has taken its toll on Nigerians. When you cannot take proper care of yourself, how do you look out for your relations or neighbours? Those who are ready to support others are soon overburdened and as the proverb goes ‘Olowo kan laarin awon otosi, otosi ni’. A rich man in the midst of the poor is potentially poor. So we go about our businesses trying to survive while we could hardly see the next person is dying.

What can we do?
We need awareness from early childhood on the right things to do when things seem ‘off’ with us. Government, at all levels, should make this a priority. If things are not well with the citizens, a country cannot make any progress.

We need friends and relations to watch out for others in their circles so as to approach problems relating to depression early before they get out of hands.
To friends and relations in this situation, please do not be too strong... No man is strong enough to bear the burden of life alone.

Believe me, I know trying to be strong itself is depressing. Talk to a trustworthy person; see a professional; lean on good friends and relations; stay away from those who make you sad or sadder.
All, let us hold the hands of those around us. Help them; get help for them. Then they will know that all will be well.