DR Funmi Akinola, Chief Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba-Oshodi Annex, has cautioned the media against unprofessional or indiscriminate reportage of suicide cases.
Akinola made the advice at the commemoration of the World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on Tuesday in Lagos.
The day was observed by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WSPD is an awareness day observed annually on Sept. 10, to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides with various activities around the world since 2003.
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He noted that some figures created or projected by the media had an adverse effect on people, hence the need to be careful with what they report to avoid negative influence.
Akinola said that suicide was preventable and required collaboration from all members of the society because anyone could be affected.
“Once we notice a change in the behaviour of people around us let us show concern.
“When some people are in stressful situations, thoughts of suicide may arise within them but that is not the normal response that should be given to stress,” she said.
She said that the causes of suicide are multi-factorial and cannot be limited to depression alone.
The consultant said that suicide, which does not happen in a vacuum, has a series of causes which have variations in teenagers, the male and female gender.
According to WHO (2002), women are more prone to suicidal thoughts than men, but rates of suicide are higher among men.
On the average, there are about three male suicides for every one female suicide, said the expert.
Akinola said that suicide was caused by several factors including exposure to suicidal behaviours of family members, peers or media figures, domestic violence including physical and sexual abuse, bullying, among others.
“Every thirty minutes, a child attempts suicide as a result of bullying. We must teach the young ones how to manage conflicts among peers in order to save their lives.
“A drop in their performance at school is also a risk factor and this is why we need to teach our children how to bounce back from difficult situations,” she said.
She added that some misconceptions about suicide should be done away with.
She further urged members of the society to put all hands on deck to tackle the menace of suicide.
“When you come across any person contemplating suicide, make yourself available to listen and talk to them.
“Take them seriously, show that you care, offer support to them and maintain contact with them until help is secured,” Akinola said.
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