World Suicide Prevention Day: Men More Exposed in Cameroon

On Friday September 10, 2021, observed internationally as World Suicide Prevention Day, mental health experts in Cameroon revealed that more men are generally known to be suicide victims than women. From 2012-2019 a total of 864 women, and 2003 men were reported to have committed suicide in the country.

According to the World Health Organization, WHO, there has been a rise in suicide cases in Cameroon in the last four years, with the percentage being higher in men than in women.

The country’s suicide rate increased from 4.9% in 2012 to 12.2% in 2019, with 864 cases being women, and 2003 cases being men. 12% of suicide cases have been reported between 2012 and 2019, among which 17.2% are men and 7.4% are women.

According to psychologist, men are more exposed because they are faced with numerous challenges such as catering for the family, unlike women who easily get rid of their problems.

“Women have the ability to easily evacuate themselves from stress. They spend time discussing with friends thereby diverting their minds, as opposed to men who carry the load of the family. They load is heavy on them, they give up and end by committing suicide,” explained Aristarque Fotso Magne, a psychologist.

Stress and untreated mental health problems, bullying and discrimination,  long-term physical pain, bereavement, previous suicide attempt, gender based violence, depression, isolation,end of relationship, examination failure, financial stress, failure in life, defamation sexual, physical and mental abuses are some of the root causes of suicide in Cameroon, psychologists say.

Suicide could also be as a result of the inability of persons to share their problems. They become bitter and depressed, often leading to the spirit of unworthiness.  “In Africa, we rarely talk when we have problems. People endeavour to handle everything by themselves, and this unfortunately leads to a deplorable state where even one’s life no longer makes meaning to him/her. Going through this stress, you start finding yourself useless to your family and the society as a whole, and what comes to your mind next is suicide. That is why we hear stories of people drowning themselves in lakes,” Fabien Memong Ndengue, a specialist in Community health said.

World suicide Prevention day is therefore an opportunity for family members, friends, colleagues, communities, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political leaders and governments to take measures to prevent suicide in the society. To do this, they must know the early signs and symptoms of suicide.

“The person is sad, discouraged, aggressive, irritable, that is to say to easily get angry, bored as if he had no pleasure, lack of motivation,”  Dr. Mireille Ndje Ndje, a Clinical psychologist noted.

After identifying the signs and symptoms of potential suicide cases, it is advisable that people get closer to them to prevent them from burying themselves in solitude. This can be done using polite statements like “I am worried about you.  I will like to see you please.”

“I am useless, i will kill myself, everything is better without me” are some common expressions used by potential suicide victims, who are usually in depressed states. These calls are those of alert that should not be neglected by those around these persons.

Their activities and behaviours are also a call for consent, as they isolate themselves consuming drugs and alcohol in large quantities. They also go ahead to neglect their physical appearance.

Health experts have also affirmed that suicide is preventable if an individual keeps a stable state of mind and is firmly connected to friends, family members and experts who can take care of their situation.

“The key to preventing suicide is that you have to be able to speak, follow your mental hygiene, revise your lifestyles, clean up your environment and above all consult a specialist, as soon as you feel the manifestations in a person,” Dr. Mireille Ndje Ndje explained.

Again, although most suicide attempts always turn out to be dangerous, mental health problems which are usually the origin of suicide can be treated. Experts say the government should begin addressing the issue by outlining preventive measures such as implementing suicide prevention policies, training community health care givers on suicide prevention, raising awareness about suicide prevention, and reducing the stigma associated with committing suicides.

Mental well-being is essential and must be followed up so that care can be provided immediately when someone shows signs of depression. Whatever situation people are going through, suicide is never an option as God alone is the giver and taker of life. Emphasis is therefore in prayers and faith in God, he who can turn things around, even the impossible ones thereby making life better and rosy again.

Commemorated this year under the theme, “Creating hope through action,” World Suicide Prevention Day is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The day was instituted to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

Ingrid KENGNE