The Anambra State Library Board has commemorated the annual Suicide Prevention Day with the aim of educating, enlighten and sensitizing the public on the need to say “No to Suicide”, or any form of depression and low-self Esteem.
The event which took place at Professor Kenneth Dike State Central E-library, Awka, was attended by the Anambra state Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, the Director of the State Library Board, Dr Nkechi Udeze and keynote Speakers, among others.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2022 was themed “Creating Hope Through Action” as a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in people.
It also highlights the importance of setting suicide prevention as a priority public health agenda by countries, particularly where access to mental health services and availability of evidence-based interventions are already low.
Addressing the gathering, Sir Paul said that the day is set aside to reduce stigma and raise awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, with a singular message that suicide can be prevented.
The Commissioner urged family members, friends, co-workers, community members, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political officials as well as governments at all levels to take action in order to prevent suicide.
The keynote Speaker at the event, Dr Casmir Nnemeka said that Suicide is a mental illness which cannot be cured but it is preventable, adding that the overall objective of the World Suicide Prevention Day, is to raise awareness of mental health issues, depression, spiritual manipulation, personal rejection, peer pressure groupsand what needs to be done to make the prevention of suicide a reality for people worldwide.
In an interview with the ABS, the Director of the Library Board, Dr Nkechi Udeze said that the day focuses on creating awareness on suicide worldwide, as the problem is within the environment and appealed forthe government to provide capacity building for healthcare providers and other relevant actors, facilitate open discussion on mental health issues at home, schools, workplaces among others.
Drama presentation by students climaxed the event.
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