Kenya marks World Suicide Prevention Day with focus on combating stigma

Kenya has joined the world in commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day under the theme "Changing the Narrative on Suicide."

This year's theme aims to initiate discussions about suicide and suicidal behaviour among individuals, communities, and the government, with the goal of combating the stigma associated with this issue and enhancing the response system for those in need.

Data from the World Health Organisation estimate that more than 720,000 individuals take their lives annually and ranked as the third largest leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds in 2021.

The statistics further show that for every suicide, there will be about 20 people who will most likely attempt it and many more harbouring similar thoughts, all triggered by a myriad of issues, including social, cultural, biological, psychological and environmental factors facing them in the course of life.

While clear data on the suicide rate in Kenya is not available as several cases go unreported, statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) show that 1576 people died by it between 2017 and 2021.

"Most cases will go unreported on account of the suicide attempt being a criminal offence. This comes at a time when the conversation on decriminalisation of attempted suicide is ongoing in the country," the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) notes in a statement released today.

The National Human Rights body added that the criminalisation of attempted suicide has not helped deter or lower its prevalence.

"Provision of good mental healthcare, lessening the socioeconomic deprivation, and cultural change to attitudes and beliefs that stigmatise suicide and help-seeking are the alternatives to reducing suicide risk," said KNCHR.

Only about 80 WHO Member States have direct access to high-quality vital registration data for estimating suicide rates.

"This problem of poor-quality mortality data is not unique to suicide, but given the stigma surrounding suicide and the illegality of suicidal behaviour in some countries, it is likely that under-reporting and misclassification are greater problems for suicide than for most other causes of death," WHO says.

Mental illnesses and disorders that often lead to attempted death by suicide are the result of underlying structural causes such as inequity, discrimination, isolation, homelessness, economic deprivation and poverty that remain largely unaddressed.

KNHCR thus called on the government as the main duty bearer to "start the conversation" by improving access to comprehensive, integrated and qualified services for suicide prevention at all levels of care in order to facilitate early detection and management.

Additionally, it called for the creation of open and safe spaces where affected individuals could receive direct or indirect listening without judgement and support.

If lastly, called for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide through the repeal of Section 226 of the Penal Code.

"Individuals who attempt to kill themselves have a mental illness, and they deserve to be taken for medical care instead of being arrested and charged in a court of law," the commission said.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by depression, thoughts of suicide, or simply struggling to cope, reach out to the Ministry of Health website or free counselling organisations and their hotlines.