We Owe It to Us to Seek Help

Dec 24 , 2022
By Eden Sahle

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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.

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PUBLISHED ON Dec 24,2022 [ VOL 23 , NO 1182]

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