Revealed! Why More Men Commit Su!cide in Africa
Category: Health
Dr Naeem Dalal, Advisor, Non-communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health for Africa CDC, blamed cultural stereotypes that prevent African men from seeking emotional and mental wellness help for high rate of suicide among males in Africa.
Dalal spoke in Lusaka, Zambia, on the sideline of a parallel session on Youth Mental Health in Africa, at the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) on Tuesday.
According to him, this is necessary as statistics specifically show that more men die by su!cide on the continent in Africa.
The CPHIA, an annual event, is organized by the Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), with the 2023 edition being hosted by the Government of Zambia.
The CPHIA2023 has the theme: “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture.’’
The annual event runs from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30.
Dalal said: “There is more active su!cide amongst men.
“When we talk about su!cide, we need to understand two things. There’s suicide, which is passive and suicide, which is active.
“Active su!cide is where you die by su!cide.
“Passive su!cide is where you have thoughts of dying by killing yourself or harming yourself, but you don’t go ahead with those thoughts. So, that’s passive su!cide.
“Now, when we talk about statistics specifically for men on the continent of Africa, more men die by su!cide.
“So, there’s more active su!cide amongst men. For every 50 per cent of it, it is amongst the men that d!e and this is because men use more lethal with dying.’’
Dalal highlighted some reasons that make men resort to su!cide rather than seek help.
“It’s also important to understand that men do not reach out for help for mental health concerns or issues that they face because of the culture that we have in Africa, where men are supposed to be supportive.
“Men are supposed to be responsible and breadwinners in communities. Showing that part of vulnerability is not something that is accepted in our communities across the African continent in general.
“And not just to stereotype it, but also to be factual that men are also taught not to be reaching out for help growing up as boys and boys are told to be strong and responsible.
“So, this also causes an issue for men to reach out for mental health services, even when they are there.
“These are the challenges we are facing,’’ he told NAN.
Dalal proffered some solutions aimed at reducing su!cide on the continent.
“However, the solutions and the implementations that Africa CDC is currently carrying out is in the non-communicable diseases, injuries and mental health strategy.
“They have flagship programmes that are looking at mental health advocacy for communities, looking also at men’s health.
“But in addition, there are also mental health fellowships that are coming up, where they will build capacity amongst healthcare workers to also seek mental health as a profession.
“This is because the other challenge is in Africa; healthcare workers do not want to do mental health specialty.
Dr Naeem Dalal, Advisor, Non-communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health for Africa CDC, blamed cultural stereotypes that prevent African men from seeking emotional and mental wellness help for high rate of suicide among males in Africa.
Dalal spoke in Lusaka, Zambia, on the sideline of a parallel session on Youth Mental Health in Africa, at the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) on Tuesday.
According to him, this is necessary as statistics specifically show that more men die by su!cide on the continent in Africa.
READ: Depression Leading Cause Of Suicide – Experts
The CPHIA, an annual event, is organized by the Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), with the 2023 edition being hosted by the Government of Zambia.
The CPHIA2023 has the theme: “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture.’’
The annual event runs from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30.
Dalal said: “There is more active su!cide amongst men.
READ: Lagos DJ Xgee Commits Suicide by Drinking Sniper after Leaving Notes on Instagram (Photos)
“When we talk about su!cide, we need to understand two things. There’s suicide, which is passive and suicide, which is active.
“Active su!cide is where you die by su!cide.
“Passive su!cide is where you have thoughts of dying by killing yourself or harming yourself, but you don’t go ahead with those thoughts. So, that’s passive su!cide.
“Now, when we talk about statistics specifically for men on the continent of Africa, more men die by su!cide.
READ: Man Commits Suicide On Bayelsa Flyover Bridge
“So, there’s more active su!cide amongst men. For every 50 per cent of it, it is amongst the men that d!e and this is because men use more lethal with dying.’’
Dalal highlighted some reasons that make men resort to su!cide rather than seek help.
“It’s also important to understand that men do not reach out for help for mental health concerns or issues that they face because of the culture that we have in Africa, where men are supposed to be supportive.
“Men are supposed to be responsible and breadwinners in communities. Showing that part of vulnerability is not something that is accepted in our communities across the African continent in general.
SEE: Photos of YABATECH Fresh Graduate Commits Suicide
“And not just to stereotype it, but also to be factual that men are also taught not to be reaching out for help growing up as boys and boys are told to be strong and responsible.
“So, this also causes an issue for men to reach out for mental health services, even when they are there.
“These are the challenges we are facing,’’ he told NAN.
Dalal proffered some solutions aimed at reducing su!cide on the continent.
SEE: Photos of 67-Year-Old Pensioner Commits Suicide In Calabar
“However, the solutions and the implementations that Africa CDC is currently carrying out is in the non-communicable diseases, injuries and mental health strategy.
“They have flagship programmes that are looking at mental health advocacy for communities, looking also at men’s health.
“But in addition, there are also mental health fellowships that are coming up, where they will build capacity amongst healthcare workers to also seek mental health as a profession.
“This is because the other challenge is in Africa; healthcare workers do not want to do mental health specialty.
SEE: Photos: 67-Year-Old Pensioner Commits Suicide In Calabar
“These are the implementations that we are carrying out.
“We are also promoting more advocacy amongst the younger generation because the third leading cause of death by suicide is from the ages of 15 to 29.’’
According to Dalal, a lot of advocacy is ongoing, especially by the Africa CDC through the African Union.
“We are also promoting more advocacy amongst the younger generation because the third leading cause of death by suicide is from the ages of 15 to 29.’’
According to Dalal, a lot of advocacy is ongoing, especially by the Africa CDC through the African Union.
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