Dr. Adeola Ajayi, a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital, has called on Nigerians to avoid viewing suicide as an option and to eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Osogbo, Dr. Ajayi emphasized that stigmatization can deter individuals from seeking necessary help.
“Everyone is susceptible to mental illness, and stigmatizing those who suffer from it only prevents them from seeking help,” she explained. “Attempted suicide should be seen as a plea for assistance.”
Dr. Ajayi highlighted several contributing factors to the rise in suicide rates in Nigeria, including the prevalence of mental disorders, drug abuse, financial insecurity, poverty, family instability, and traumatic experiences. She stressed that instead of punishing those who attempt suicide, society should support them and encourage treatment. “Depression is treatable,” she noted.
Dr. Ajayi shared an anecdote about a case involving a young girl who attempted suicide. Her father’s initial reaction was one of anger, but after a discussion, he was guided to understand that his daughter needed medical attention, not punishment.
She urged Nigerians to view individuals with suicidal tendencies as needing help rather than criminalizing them. “Instead of seeing them as offenders, we should offer support and guide them towards treatment,” Dr. Ajayi said.
Dr. Glory Oyebanji, a general practitioner, also addressed the causes of suicidal thoughts, citing financial difficulties, poverty, and a sense of hopelessness. She noted that issues like unemployment and economic downturns particularly affect younger individuals. Dr. Oyebanji highlighted that bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings, can contribute to suicidal thoughts and emphasized that mental health conditions are not exclusive to any culture or ethnicity.
Both doctors agreed that mental health conditions require proper treatment, including psychotherapy and medication, and urged that mental health issues be approached with understanding and compassion.
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