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Folake Sokoya
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni on Wednesday urged Nigerians to speak out when they are feeling depressed to prevent suicide while urging academicians to educate the public on causes of suicide and other depressing associated ailments.
Owoseni made the statement at the Ordinary Meeting and Scientific Conference organized by the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba (FNPHY).
The conference which was themed; “No health without mental health, break the silence and sub themed role of pharmacology in suicide prevention” was held at the neuropsychiatric hospital conference hall, yaba,Lagos.
“Police is the first respondent in everything you can think of and it is the way the people interact with us that sometimes make us suggest they need mental check up.
“There are so many things that can lead to suicide but from our own point of view and looking at the trends of suicide lately, there is what we call depression which has not being accepted in Africa.
“People need to speak out and it is when families are bold enough to share their problems that we know how to handle them and prevent suicide cases. Although, some people will say depression is an African thing but it is important we do self appraisal once in a while to know when the workload is high.
“We should also study people around us, break the silence and talk to people as the same depression leads to domestic violence. In foreign countries, the victims share their experience and they have been able to heal from it.” Owoseni said.
The CP stated further that some families refuse to speak out on what challenges their families are facing in terms of depression just to avoid stigmatization which is a major challenge.
He added that some people believe that committing suicide is a saving grace to avoid confrontatons, disgrace and embarrassment while some attach spiritual beliefs to it.
