Mental Health-Leading Cause of Suicide In Our Communities

Mental health has been blamed as one of the leading causes of suicide in our communities. Speaking to Bamenda Online today on the occasion of the “World Mental Health Day”, Dr Niyap Cloud Frances, of the Mental Health Unit Bamenda Regional Hospital said every 30 seconds, someone commits suicide due to mental health problems.

He said youths are increasingly becoming more affected by mental health than adults. He blames this on the social, economic and religious demands on the youths. Numerous reasons he added accounts for mental health related illnesses like failure in studies, childhood trauma, family disharmony, violence, sexual abuse amongst others.

Talking about statistics concerning the number of suicides due to mental health, he said there are hardly recorded since our customs have several restrictions concerning suicide victims.

However, he said the government has been putting up measures aimed at suicide prevention, notably to control stress amongst the most affected segment of the population.

The significances of World mental Health Day he continued is to raise awareness about mental health issues worldwide.

The World Mental Health Day is set aside for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma. The day was first commemorated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health Organisation. In Cameroon the day is observed every year in all 10 regions of the country. But due to the social unrest in the NW region, the day was not celebrated this year. Meanwhile sensitization activities are holding at the Bamenda regional Hospital from the 10th to 20th of October.

By Bathsheba Everdine

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