Maria David
DEPRESSION is a serious mental illness that interferes with one’s life, which can cause sadness and hopelessness and lead to suicidal thoughts.
Behind many smiling faces or laughter that echoes in the ears hide personal demons and battles many people fight inside.
Sadly, suicide incidents or mental-health deaths are reported in the country daily.
According to statistics provided by the Namibian police, through the Ministry of Health and Social Services, a total of 745 people committed suicide in the country last year.
Of these, 710 were adults (609 male, 101 female), while 35 were juveniles (22 male, 13 female).
According to clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker, for the past ten years Namibia had an above-average suicide rate, with the Northern areas reporting the highest cases.
Whittaker said the increase in the suicide rate is attributed to the high unemployment rate and impoverishment.
He said for many years during colonialism the northern regions were militarized which had already created a violent culture.
“Unemployment is the main reason for suicide not only in Namibia but the whole world, with the biggest group being young adult males ages 20 to 29,” he said.
He said more men commit suicide than women, as they feel they are redundant to their families or in their way. They simply cannot deal with that level of depression and most of the time they hang themselves.
“With the current economic crisis and coronavirus, we must expect a dramatic increase in the suicide rate,” Whittaker added.
He said there remains an urgent need to educate people on the importance of mental health and how best to deal with the matter, indicating that it is normal that everyone becomes stressed, depressed and traumatized.
“There is nothing to be ashamed of,” Whittaker stressed.
He called on Namibians to start speaking up and seeking help, saying they have a network of social workers in the country.
Tuyoleni Werner, a suicide survivor, revealed that due to several live-changing issues, she attempted suicide in 2009 and again some years later.
“One thing about suicidal thoughts is that one cannot control them. Without the power of prayers you will not survive,” she said.
Werner stated that being a prayer warrior and having a support system helped her overcome her suicide attempts.
In 2018, she was introduced to Ndilimeke Nambinga, who became her listener and adviser, a year after she opened up and decided to seek help for the benefit of her children.
Werner added that at first she was assigned to speak to a male psychologist but requested to speak to a female to feel comfortable, and was given Nambinga who consulted her for free.
Healthcare practitioner doctor Samuel Awe said one does not need money to see a psychologist but rather visit any government healthcare facility in Namibia and a social worker will be provided.
He said many people who commit suicide look at life as meaningless and not worth living, but all they need to do is seek medical attention close to them.
Awe also indicated that if anyone is suffering from mental issues, family members are always the first solution. “Speak to a family member or someone else because all you need to do is open up on the matter.”
Sadrag Fillipus, a resident of a village where many people suffer from depression, said in many cases people rarely have anyone to talk to.
Fillipus stated that many men are the victims of mental disturbances as most of them suffer in silence because masculinity has been misinterpreted by many cultures.
He indicated that last year alone, 11 people committed suicide in their village.
“The cultural misconception that men cannot cry and complain has been the death of many. From the onset the boy child is taught that being a man is defined by being tough,” he added.
He emphasized that the trend of raising men as “monster-like creatures” with zero emotions contributes a great deal to mental illness and deadly trauma.
