The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
SUMMIT Care Trust will be spearheading a suicide prevention campaign starting tomorrow (Wednesday) as a way of commemorating the suicide prevention month which falls in the month of September.
The campaign comes as Zimbabwe’s suicide rate for 2019 was 14.10, a 0.71 percent increase from 2018.
In 2020 and 2021, there is anecdotal evidence highlighting an increase in suicide cases.
Summit Care Trust mental health advocate, Ms Tanatswa Chikaura said the campaign is crucial as it seeks to open up awareness about suicide and how to find ways of preventing the cases from rising.
“While suicide prevention should be an everyday topic, the month of September gives us an opportunity to dedicate time and have honest conversations about mental health.
“Suicide is often deemed a taboo topic; therefore, we would like to raise awareness on the stigmatisation surrounding it as well as spread important information that can help people affected with suicidal thoughts and those that have lost their loved ones to the scourge,” said Ms Chikaura.
She said the aim of the month-long suicide prevention campaign is to ensure that Zimbabweans have the important tool kit that can help them prevent suicide and seek help.
Throughout the month of September, Summit Care Trust will highlight the “YOU MATTER” theme by focusing on four areas: community awareness, health awareness, family awareness and education awareness.
The Trust will broadcast conversations with various stakeholders on the risk factors of suicide, navigating mental health crisis, suicide prevention, bullying in educational institutions and role of sports, arts and culture in young people’s mental health.
Ms Chikaura said at the core of the awareness campaign was the message that there is no shame in seeking help.
There is need to conscientise people facing challenges that they can share their situations with friends, family members or professionals for support.
People are experiencing mental health conditions due to various factors.
In Zimbabwe, suicide has been on the rise among young people.
Suicidal thoughts, just like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or race.
Usually suicidal thoughts stem from various mental health conditions.
Suicide affects not only the victim but their family and friends.
The thought of losing a loved one, coupled with the stigmatisation has a strong psychological effect.
