Radar | Aug 08,2020
Dec 24 , 2022
By Eden Sahle
This past week a young Federal First Instance Court judge allegedly murdered his partner before committing suicide by throwing himself from a 13-storey apartment building around the Megenagna area. His partner's alleged unfaithfulness was reported as the cause of the tragic incident. Those who witnessed the tragedy said it was horrific to see the dismembered body of a person scattered everywhere.
Such incidents have become a growing phenomenon, especially among high school boys exposed to illicit drugs at a tender age. Disturbing news is everywhere.
Another tragic story involves a young man who ended his life after separation from his fiancé. I have also attended the mournings of two men brutally murdered in front of their young children as retaliation for business failure.
I know the pain of losing loved ones to suicide. I lost my friend in my early 20s. To the credit of my friend, whom I used to consider a sister, she confronted me about her troubled relationship and struggle with suicidal thoughts. Some mocked the arrangement to see a psychiatrist and forced my friend to withdraw from her treatment. She was called spoiled and purposeless for seeking professional help.
Although I flagged up the problem to those who could have offered support, they considered it a false threat, only to be traumatised when she tragically took her life.
Lack of support from family, friends, society and religious organisations aggravates the problem. Each person struggling with suicidal thoughts has harrowing stories of pain, grief, heartbreak, or hopelessness. Their emotions are raw when we give ears to their hurt.
People in pain are willing to share their stories if there are given attention without judgment and misunderstanding, often making them isolate themselves. They regarded expressing their feelings in fear of awful feedback than support.
Unfortunately, suicide prevention is not the priority in the struggling underfunded health system. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, on average, one psychiatrist is available for half a million people in Africa at a significantly lower rate than recommended.
Four Ethiopian researchers - Berhanu Boru Biftu, Bewket Tadesse Tiruneh, Berihun Assefa Dachew and Yonas Deressa - published a study last year in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems. Their conclusion should be alarming. A "high prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide observed in the general population in Ethiopia."
The prevalence of suicidal thoughts may reach 55pc; the percentage of attempted suicide at 19pc, they discovered.
Our society is not supportive of emotionally and mentally harmed people. This probably has a lot to do with associating depression and mental illness as "taboo". Accepting depression as an ailment that requires proper treatment is a luxury.
There is a perception that depression is something anyone could get and recover from, as simple as having a bad day. Unfortunately, this misperception is perpetuated as most people, despite their best intentions, do not understand the complexity and its consequences.
We all have our way of dealing with problems in life, and noticing the pain of others may not be likely if they are not sharing it. It is vital to lend ears to those in trouble and help them deal with their emotions. With the support of loved ones and friends, we can bounce back from any unfortunate situation that seemed impossible to manage. Understanding those who are in depression is essential.
I have seen strong people fall to their knees and become vulnerable. Encouraging them to gain control and overcome depression as they navigate through their struggle is a lifesaving act.
There is no magic cure for life's tragedies. However, there is always time to begin the road to recovery.
PUBLISHED ON
Dec 24,2022 [ VOL
23 , NO
1182]
Radar | Aug 08,2020
My Opinion | Jun 04,2022
Radar | Nov 06,2021
My Opinion | Jun 07,2020
Radar | May 18,2024
Election 2021 coverage | Mar 01,2020
View From Arada | Oct 12,2024
Fortune News | May 24,2021
My Opinion | Oct 12,2024
Featured | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 127576 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 123751 Views | Aug 21,2021
My Opinion | 121904 Views | Sep 10,2021
My Opinion | 119760 Views | Aug 07,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Apr 13 , 2025
The federal government will soon require one year of national service from university...
Apr 6 , 2025
Last week, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group...
Mar 30 , 2025
When the private satellite channel, Ethiopian Broadcasting Service (EBS), aired an em...
Mar 23 , 2025
Getachew Redda, head of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA), at least u...
Apr 13 , 2025
Some parts of Merkato have fallen uncharacteristically silent, contrary to its typical bustle of traders, shoppers, and hawkers vying for bu...
Apr 13 , 2025 . By AKSAH ITALO
Takeaways: Retroactive VAT enforcement on soybean cake has become a tax flashpo...
Apr 13 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
A redevelopment initiative along Africa Avenue (Bole Road) has set off alarm bells for property owners wh...
Key Takeaways Federal legislators called for reforms and increased enforcement to protect Ethiopian...
Loading your updates...