Suicide which was regarded as a taboo in the olden days especially amongst the Igbos, is now rearing its ugly head in the society as people especially the youths often see it as the best way to end the sufferings and vicissitudes of life.
In this special report, Correspondent Emmanuel Okonkwo seeks people’s opinions on the causes of high rate of suicide in the society.
Suicide is the act of taking one’s life, either by hanging, or consumption of deadly substances, among others.
Thousands of people often cuts short their lives annually through suicide, with reasons ranging from hardship, hunger, frustration to failures.
Speaking on the development, the Vicar of Saint Paul’s Anglican church Umuokpu Awka, Reverend Canon Uchenna Umeifekwem, regretted the rising cases of suicide, identifying pride, hopelessness, lack of trust in God for a better tomorrow, as some of its causes.
Reverend Canon Umeifekwem, also listed bad leadership and unemployment amongst youths as other causes of suicide, saying that in order to minimize or eradicate such, leaders should learn how to address the challenges facing the people, while government should create jobs for youths.
The General Superintendent of Redeemed Covenant Church Awka, Pastor Kenneth Muozie, attributed it to deterioration of family system, as according to him, parents no longer inculcate right attitude and believe in their children as their businesses or work is now more important to them than their family responsibilities.
On his part, the Head of Psychology Department Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Harry Obi-Nwosu regretted that less attention is given to mental hygiene in Nigeria, and called on the
federal and State governments, to place premium on health, in addition to providing psychological Centres in all General Hospitals for mental care of the citizenry, as according to him, mental imbalance could lead to suicide.
Also speaking, an Awka Resident, Mr Gerald Dulu called for aggressive campaign, to discourage people from seeing suicide as a way of ending problems, saying that no problem or life challenge is worth dying for.
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