The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, on Thursday, disclosed that the Federal Government is working towards decriminalising attempted suicide in the country.
The minister disclosed the plans at a news conference in honour of the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day, which is celebrated every September 10th. This year’s commemoration was themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
Presently, in Nigeria, according to section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, it has been established that any individual who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour and could be sent to prison for one year.
The minister noted that the Ministry of Health has begun the process, which is under the National Suicide Strategic Framework (2023-2030), which will help the mental health of the citizens and assist in the prevention of suicide in the country.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, disclosed that the document had identified different issues and factors and issues in the country that have contributed to the cases of suicide.
According to him, the document had identified strategic objectives, interventions, and indicators for suicide prevention, in line with international best practices. He disclosed that the decriminalisation of attempted suicide was a key part of the document which will be acted upon in the country.
He noted that the document has recommended that instead of the cases of punishment and ostracism, people who have attempted suicide in the country should be helped and supported rather than the cases of discrimination.
According to the minister, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working closely with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and partners to ensure that the case of criminalization in the law is addressed in the country in the shortest time. He also noted that the country, in a short time, will join other countries that have decriminalised attempted suicide.
The minister revealed that the data presently available in the country shows that 12.9 per 100,000 have attempted suicide, which he says was high for the country. The minister also noted that cases of suicide have been dominant among individuals who are aged 15 to 29 years. The case has further made it the fourth leading cause of death in this age group in Africa. The continent accounted for all the suicide deaths in the country.
The minister further claimed that the the statistics may not fully reflect the true prevalence of suicide in Africa. He noted that issues of stigma surrounding mental health issues have been the issues that have hindered the accurate reportage of the cases of suicide in the continent.
The minister noted that the issues of mental health conditions, depression and alcohol use disorders have all contributed to the cases of attempted suicide among people around the world. He observed that cases of suicide have occurred during times of crisis, with a breakdown in the ability to cope with life’s stresses, such as financial problems, relationship issues, breakups, chronic pain, and illness, among other challenges.
The minister noted that the theme for the 2024 celebration was channelled toward raising awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicide.
The minister noted that it was important to change the conversation on going into suicide and prevent it among the people. He noted that people need to move away from taboos, stigma, and discrimination and look at empathy and positive cultural change.
The minister noted that the country acknowledges the issues that are related to cases of suicide and stands with families that have lost loved ones in the crime in the past, explaining that the country was committed to providing an environment that supports and cares for those struggling with mental health issues.
He further noted that the prevention of the act was a collective responsibility, noting that all individuals in the society must be committed to building a society that values mental health, promotes well-being, and provides care for everyone.
While speaking, the Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr Walter Mulombo, noted that in the cases of suicide in the country, 20 more others are thinking about the same act.
Mary Bantuo represented the country representative; she noted there was a need to change the narrative of going into the act of suicide from the areas of stigmatization and shifting from the cultural beliefs in the communities and providing support for the people.
He noted that there was a need to hold a high interest in making policies towards prevention and mental health i
He called on the government to act and change the narratives by advocating for policies that prioritise mental health, increase access to care, and support those in need.
