The number of suicides reported in Kenya in the last 10 years rose to 421 in 2017, a 58 per cent increase since 2008, the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates.
This has been attributed to high depression levels which according to Gladys Chania, a child and adult psychologist, worsens in silence.
The psychologist explains that it is just a matter of time for a depressed person to become suicidal if they do not talk about their worries.
“Keeping things inside only lets them build up and trigger confusion. When a depressed person vents out, they explode like a volcano which ends up in taking their own life or that of other people,” the psychologist explains.
More than 20 cases of police officers killing themselves or killing their spouses were reported in 2018.
The suicide that painted a grim picture of a situation that is getting out of hand is that of Stephen Mumbo who served as PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Business Recovery Services manager.
Mumbo jumped off from the 17th floor of Delta Corner building in Westlands in October last year.
WHO further reports that in every 40 seconds, someone in the world commits suicide bringing the total number of those who commit suicide every year to 800, 000.
Chania notes that it is important for any depressed person to speak out because it reduces anxiety.
“Most people don't even realise that carrying a worried head every day, full of pent-up emotions creates a lot of physical tension and drains a lot of energy in you. But talking out loud about what’s going on in your head and explaining it to someone else, even if you think it doesn’t make sense, helps you to clarify the things that are worrying you,” advises Chania.
“Speaking out helps in putting things in perspective,” adds the psychologist.
“Your muscles relax and you literally feel that some weight is off your shoulders. Feeling good physically makes you feel better mentally.”
She also urges Kenyans to keep an eye on their relatives and friends who exhibit signs of depression to avert suicide.
WHO during last year’s World Suicide Day commemorated in Embu on September 10 urged Kenyans to work together to prevent suicide.
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