Many faces in suicide prevention

Maranyane Ngwanaamotho
Staff Wrier | Monday September 13, 2010 00:00

This day is commemorated every year on September 10 and this year's theme is, 'Many faces, many places: suicide prevention across the world'. 

At the commemoration, Assistant Superintendent, Kabelo Bome, of Mochudi police said that 90 percent of people who die from suicide have a mental illness at the time of death.

'Depression is the most common of illnesses. 

This illness can be triggered and if not effectively treated it can lead to suicide,' he said.  Last year, Kgatleng recorded a total of 13 suicides, while this year a total of 12 suicide cases has already been recorded, Bome revealed. Bome said most suicide cases can be prevented and therefore encouraged national strategies and local interventions that can lower rates of suicide.

'There are measures like weapon control. Restriction to possession of guns can significantly reduce numbers of suicide cases.

This was proven by a study carried out in Australia,' he said.

A social worker at the hospital, Allen Mbakile, also said that there is need for specific measures to provide for early identification and effective intervention for suicide attempt cases.

He said that at least one quarter of the people who commit suicide are in contact with health care services before they commit go ahead. 

He said that prevention measures have to be personalised and de-stigmatised to cater for those in need and those who are at risk of suicide according to their cultural differences, developmental stages and living situations.