According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 800,000 people die from suicide every year, with one death occurring every 40 seconds. In Kenya, the situation is equally alarming, with 421 reported deaths in 2018.
A report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 11 people die or attempt suicide every minute in Kenya.
Abuse of Drugs and Mental Health ¶
Substance abuse and mental health issues are significant risk factors for suicide. In Kenya, 19-63% of all suicide victims suffered from substance use disorders, primarily alcohol abuse.
Depression is another major contributor to the high suicide rates in Kenya. A 2017 WHO report ranked Kenya sixth in Africa for depression rates, with at least 1.9 million Kenyans diagnosed.
Mr. Surjit, a veteran journalist and freelance writer, emphasizes the importance of patience and dialogue in resolving conflicts. He notes that no problem is too big to be solved and that understanding each other is key to preventing suicides.
