The Lagos State
Government has expressed concern on the growing incidences of suicide attempts
and as such has promised to educate members of the public on suicide and common
causes with a view to stemming the spate of suicides and suicidal attempts
recorded in the State in the past few weeks.
The State
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, made this known at a press briefing on
mental health to commemorate the year 2017 World Health Day with the theme
“Depression: Let’s Talk”.
Idris stated that
suicide could be committed by people of all ages and listed its common causes
as inability to deal with life stresses such as financial problems,
relationship breakup, chronic pain and illness, adding that individuals
experiencing conflicts, disaster, violence, abuse or loss and a sense of
isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behavior.
The Commissioner
noted that suicide rates are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience
discrimination such as refugees, migrants and prisoners, just as he said that
depression tops the list of common causes of suicides.
According to him,
depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of
interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or
appetite, feelings of tiredness and poor concentration.
“Globally, more
than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression which is the leading
cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global
burden of disease,” he said.
While saying that
more women are affected by depression than men, the Commissioner posited that
depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing an
individual’s ability to function at work or school or cope with daily life and
can have devastating consequences for families, friends, communities and
workplaces.
He stressed the
need for coordination and collaboration amongst various sectors of the society
including health, education, labour, justice, law, politics and the media,
explaining that people suffering from depression need support to be courageous,
come out to talk about it and shun the fear of stigmatization and
discrimination.
He disclosed that
the State Government has set up help lines - 08058820777 and 09030000741 -
through which residents can ask questions, make inquiries and seek help from
professionals early enough to allow for appropriate intervention.
“I must stress that
there are people available to help. So, “Let’s Talk” …if you are a student,
“Let’s Talk”, if you are a parent, “Let’s Talk”, "If you feel alone in the
world, Let’s Talk,” he said.
Also present at the
press briefing were the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of
Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi; Permanent Secretary, Primary Health
Care Board, Dr. Atinuke Onayiga; Permanent Secretary, Health Service
Commission, Dr. Jemilade Longe and Professor Abiodun Adewuya of the Lagos State
University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) amongst others.
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Society