Police: 82% of 2023 suicide victims were men

With this week’s commemoration of World Suicide Awareness Day, data released by the Namibian Police shows that 82% of 542 who died by suicide over the 2023-24 financial year were men.

Among the 542 reported cases of suicide during that period, 449 were men, 80 were women and 13 suicides involved persons younger than 18.

Meanwhile, cases of attempted suicide in Namibia rose from 1 655 in 2018 to 2 332 in 2023, while the number of suicides increased from a reported 452 in 2018, 564 in 2020 and 627 reported suicides in 2022.

Additionally, the data showed a 19% rise in suicides in 2023/24 compared to the previous year (2022/23) and a 53% increase in suicide attempts between 2019 and 2024.

In 2023/24, the Oshana Region recorded the highest suicide rate in Namibia, with 29.9 suicides per 100 000 inhabitants, followed by the Omusati Region (25.5 per 100 000), Ohangwena (18.3 per 100 000), and the Khomas and Erongo regions (both at 17.9 per 100 000), while the Omaheke Region reported 17.4 per 100 000.

This brings the national average to 17.9 suicides per 100 000 inhabitants. Additionally, by the end of March this year, 449 men and 80 women had reportedly died by suicide.

Choose Life

Wimpie Vernooy, founder of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Namibia, said the non-profit is running a campaign this month, from 6 to 13 September, titled ‘Suicide Prevention Week.’ During this time, members of the organisation will visit schools and businesses to raise awareness about mental health.

“It’s never too early to seek help, but it can be too late,” Vernooy said.

Additionally, they are hosting fundraising activities where supporters can purchase stickers for N$10 each, with proceeds going towards the project.

“One of the things we also do is to provide core support for mental health and addiction issues every Thursday at the CFC training centre. It’s a place where people can come together to discuss certain topics and to share their stories," Vernooy added.

He said there are also plans underway to open a rehabilitation facility called ‘Second Chance Recovery Centre,’ tentatively set to open early next year.

With the motto ‘Choose Life,’ the planned rehabilitation centre aims to promote a more positive outlook on mental health and convey a message of hope.

Although the centre's focal point will be addiction and overcoming it, they aim to take a holistic approach, targeting underlying mental health issues that contribute towards addiction and related problems. Vernooy said they will concentrate on providing long-term interventions in which a range of therapeutic measures can be undertaken.

The centre will offer skill development workshops, such as on woodwork and welding, to prepare visitors to the centre to integrate back into their communities. “It’s a blueprint we’re putting on the table to try and make a change in the country,” he said.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Namibia can be reached under 081 880 0088 and Lifeline/Childine under 061 226 889.

Global awareness

World Suicide Prevention Day, marked each year on 10 September, is aimed at raising awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.

The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide' with the call to action 'Start the Conversation'.

“Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death. It knows no boundaries, affecting people of all ages, genders and backgrounds,” the WHO said this week.

“Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support.”