Psychiatrists have warned that the current economic hardship in Nigeria may lead to an increase in suicidal thoughts among citizens, urging Nigerians to visit clinics for mental health check-ups.
PUNCH Metro reports that between August 25 and September 4, 2024, there had been at least five suicide attempts, with four individuals reportedly taking their lives in Ogun and Lagos states.
Recently, Nigerians across many states of the federation staged protests under the banner of ‘#EndBadGovernance’ to voice their frustration over widespread hunger and hardship affecting the population.
While some victims of these suicide incidents did not survive to share the reasons behind their actions, others who were prevented from ending their lives attributed their attempts to their financial struggles.
In Lagos State, a 65-year-old visually impaired man, Ewenla Adetomiwa, was rescued after attempting suicide by jumping into the lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge. He had brought his two children with him, intending to end his life, believing the government would take care of them after his death.
A similar incident occurred on August 30, when an 18-year-old boy named Elijah, believed to be mentally unstable, attempted to jump into the same lagoon.
Likewise, earlier on August 28, a 35-year-old man, Emmanuel Urhobocha, took his own life in his apartment on Alafia Street in Sango-Ota, located in the Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
PUNCH Metro also reported that on August 28, a 32-year-old man named Olúwaseun Shorinola took his own life in the Kémta area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
On September 4, a 26-year-old man named Joshua Freeborn ended his life in his apartment at Olapo Family House on Sokoto Road, located in the Atan-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Responding to these incidents in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, a retired Professor of Psychiatry from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Medical Director of Theresa Ohaeri Memorial Specialist Hospital, Owerri, Dr Jude Ohaeri, said hunger could drive individuals to attempt suicide.
He said, “Economic hardship can drive people to suicide. As economic beings, our ability to eat, travel, and carry out daily activities relies on having money. Beyond tribal and religious reasons, the economy significantly influences voting behaviour and affects everyone, regardless of their financial status.
“Economic challenges can impact both psychological functioning and physical well-being, often leading to significant distress. Beyond religion, economic issues are a major factor affecting mental health. Economic difficulties are crucial, as they can lead to various problems, including individuals taking their own lives.”
However, he noted that confirming a spike in suicides would be challenging, as a longer period of observation was needed to draw such conclusions.
Addressing the importance of mental health checks in the current economic climate, a psychiatrist and Head of Speech Therapy at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Helen Alabi, attributed debts and hunger as additional factors that could drive individuals to suicidal thoughts.
She said, “Given the current economic situation, some individuals can develop suicidal thoughts. Many families are struggling to afford necessities, including three square meals a day, due to the economic challenges in the country.
“Some people struggle to have one meal a day, others have two, and some struggle to have even one. When you can’t provide for your family and are relying on debt to make ends meet, with no means to repay it, you may start to question whether life is worth living.”
She urged Nigerians facing tough economic conditions and difficult times to seek counselling and psychiatric assistance to help them navigate their challenges.
“Some individuals may not acknowledge their psychological issues, which can lead to drastic actions such as ingesting insecticides or jumping into rivers. This is why we strongly encourage people to visit Aro for psychiatric evaluation and support,” she added.
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