29 children die by suicide in over a year
A total of 679 Namibians died by their own hand between January 2021 and May 2022, with the majority (559) being male adults. Of the number, 91 were female adults while 29 were children - 18 boys and 11 girls.
Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue stressed that in Namibia, which has the fourth highest suicide rate per 100 000 people on the continent, different interventions for men and boys should urgently be put in place.
Another concern that has reared its head is suicide pacts, where two or more people decide to take their lives at the same time. Regarding this, the health ministry said there is an urgent need for intervention and awareness.
According to police information, the leading methods of suicide are hanging – which is the most common, followed by shooting, drinking battery water, drowning, slitting one’s own throat, self-stabbing, poisoning and burning.
Speaking at the launch of the Khomas Suicide Prevention Task Force on Wednesday, the minister said the main reasons for suicide have been recorded as depression, rejection, hopelessness, family problems and poor self-worth.
Omusati tops list
“Our national statistics are very concerning, and this is an indication that all of us need to respond to suicidal behaviours. The regional suicide statistics from January 2021 to May 2022 revealed that Omusati has the highest recorded incidents of suicide at 105, leaving Ohangwena in the second position with 100 cases.
“Khomas was placed third with 80 cases, while Oshikoto is in fourth place with 65 incidents,” she said.
The fifth highest rate is recorded in Oshana with 56 cases, followed by Otjozondjupa with 48 and Erongo with 44.
Kavango East recorded 34 suicides, while Kavango West recorded 30 and //Karas 29.
In the Hardap Region, 25 cases were recorded, followed by Zambezi (24) and Omaheke (20).
The fewest number of suicides were recorded in Kunene with 19 cases during this period.
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Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue stressed that in Namibia, which has the fourth highest suicide rate per 100 000 people on the continent, different interventions for men and boys should urgently be put in place.
Another concern that has reared its head is suicide pacts, where two or more people decide to take their lives at the same time. Regarding this, the health ministry said there is an urgent need for intervention and awareness.
According to police information, the leading methods of suicide are hanging – which is the most common, followed by shooting, drinking battery water, drowning, slitting one’s own throat, self-stabbing, poisoning and burning.
Speaking at the launch of the Khomas Suicide Prevention Task Force on Wednesday, the minister said the main reasons for suicide have been recorded as depression, rejection, hopelessness, family problems and poor self-worth.
Omusati tops list
“Our national statistics are very concerning, and this is an indication that all of us need to respond to suicidal behaviours. The regional suicide statistics from January 2021 to May 2022 revealed that Omusati has the highest recorded incidents of suicide at 105, leaving Ohangwena in the second position with 100 cases.
“Khomas was placed third with 80 cases, while Oshikoto is in fourth place with 65 incidents,” she said.
The fifth highest rate is recorded in Oshana with 56 cases, followed by Otjozondjupa with 48 and Erongo with 44.
Kavango East recorded 34 suicides, while Kavango West recorded 30 and //Karas 29.
In the Hardap Region, 25 cases were recorded, followed by Zambezi (24) and Omaheke (20).
The fewest number of suicides were recorded in Kunene with 19 cases during this period.
[email protected]
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