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Writes Marlvin Ngiza
Suicide has become a major public health challenge, with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally, a situation which has aroused governments, individuals and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to embark on several investments and awareness initiatives towards suppressing the threat.
These worrisome statistics have seen nations around the globe through the World Health Organization adopting the three-year battle against suicides under the theme “Changing the narrative on suicide.”
The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action “Start the Conversation”.
This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides. Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how people perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support.
One of Zimbabwe-based youth movements, Reach Out Foundation (ROF) has launched a suicide prevention programme which targets young people through open conversations, sporting events, school clubs and life coaching sessions among others.
Speaking about World Suicide Prevention Day which was observed on 10 September, ROF Visionary, Dumisani Hamandishe, expressed that their approach has been effective in helping youth dealing with anxiety, unemployment, societal pressure and low self-esteem among other challenges that have been perpetrating suicide.
“Suicide is there and dangerous to our societies. We say the future of this world is in our youth but it is worrisome that some of them are committing suicide due to lack of assistance, especially during those times when they are faced with emotional and mental disorders.
“As ROF, we have adopted this year’s theme of WSPD by creating more platforms for youth to engage in conversations that are of interest and that also help them to freely express themselves. Not only that but we have already begun launching youth clubs in schools that help youth identify their gifts and talents so that even though some of them are not good in school, they can focus on other areas that can even lead them to be successful in life. We are doing all this to promote inclusion. Youth networking is key to dealing with distress among other factors that cause suicide.
“Through these clubs and other sessions, we also raise awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse, “said Hamandishe.
He added that in some of the services they offer such as counselling sessions, they have already engaged professionals who can even handle youth issues with expertise and the attention they deserve.
“I am personally a life coach so for all the youths who come through our organisation, we teach them about life, empowerment, personal development and entrepreneurship among other key areas of life.
“Also, we have a professional and competent team that can handle complex issues with good treatment and can take the issues to the next phases until one gets assisted. We work with other partners whom we invite for some sessions just to empower our youths with vast knowledge and skills. Very soon we will be hosting a FIFA Tournament in Chitungwiza, which will bring together many youth from different spheres of life. This sporting event aims at creating a platform for youths to mix and mingle and also to exchange life-transforming ideas,” he added.
One of the youth who spoke to this publication, Mellisa Moyo, said “As young people, we surely appreciate all the programmes being done in Zimbabwe that are empowering us both economically and emotionally. I believe that an empowered generation is a successful generation.
“For sure, mental health challenges are affecting young people out there and some of them end up taking their lives. As young people, we need more youth events where we share our issues and get to learn about life,” she said.
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10th of September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and raise awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.
ROF is a Non-Governmental and Humanitarian Organisation that aims at empowering Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) in Zimbabwe through the four-pillar plan strategy which encompasses awareness campaigns, food aid, school bursary fund and skills development programmes.