This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
On August 26, 2020, a tragic incident occurred in South B Estate, Nairobi, where a young man of Somali descent took his own life by jumping from the 9th floor of a building in Shallom Gardens Court.
According to reports, the identity of the man has not been revealed, and the incident has sparked concerns about the increasing number of suicides in Kenya.
Studies have shown that a significant number of suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis, where individuals suffer breakdowns in dealing with life catastrophes, such as financial crises, relationship break-ups, or chronic pain and illness.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1,408 people commit suicide yearly in Kenya, which translates to four deaths daily. This number is higher than the 421 reported deaths in 2018, as per the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Official numbers on suicide in Kenya may be difficult to obtain due to under-reporting or misreporting of such deaths, partly because of penalties in Kenyan law for attempting suicide and higher levels of stigmatization.
For those struggling with depression or mental health issues, it is essential to seek medical attention.
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