Worried by the spate of suicide in the country, a non-governmental initiative, Suicide Is No Solution (SINS) yesterday disclosed that it has commenced an anti-suicide campaign comprising a series of advocacy activities, interactive events and counseling support to highlight the increasing tide of deaths by suicide amongst Nigerians and provide professional support to would-be victims with a view to dissuading them from committing suicide.
The group also said that a team of mental health practitioners, religious leaders, social workers and volunteers have joined hands to support the cause in order to achieve its objective.
The Project Lead of SINS, Mrs. Idy Toye-Arulogun, stated that SINS is a coordinated response to the increase in the rate of deaths by suicide in Nigeria, pointing out that the key task of the SINS campaign is the significant reduction in the rate of deaths by suicide in Nigeria through a strong public enlightenment and advocacy campaign that dissuades people from killing themselves.
She noted that with one person in the world dying by suicide every 40 seconds and Nigeria’s 15th position in the world suicide ranking, there is a strong need to intensify the campaign against suicide, especially giving the psychological effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Toye-Arulogun revealed that the SINS campaign encompasses multi-media communication messages for exposure in both traditional and new media platforms, a helpline and a back end professional counseling support structure to engage members of the public going through distress and depression, stressing that the group is optimistic that the SINS intervention will contribute to the mental well being of Nigerians and ultimately the reduction of deaths by suicide through various engagements.
Some of the advocacy messages include: ‘Don’t let the stumble on the road be the end of your journey; Every setback is a set up for a comeback, don’t give up; Life is full of options, suicide is no option; If you need help or know someone who does, call our helpline: 07041000466.’
