10/09/2022
It is World Su***de Prevention Day!
Every 10th September has been set aside to focus attention on the issue of SU***DE, reduce stigma and raise awareness among organizations, government, and the public, giving a singular message that su***de can be prevented.
World Su***de Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Su***de Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Unlike most International days which have different themes every year, World Su***de Prevention Day runs with a triennial theme and the theme meant to run for 2021, 2022 and 2023 is "CREATING HOPE THROUGH ACTION". This theme is a reminder that there is an alternative to su***de and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us.
According to WHO, an estimated 703,000 people a year take their life around the world. For every su***de, there are likely 20 other people making a su***de attempt and many more have serious thoughts of su***de. Millions of people suffer intense grief or are otherwise profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviours.
It is WHO's belief that, each suicidal death is a public health concern with a profound impact on those around them. By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around su***de, and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of su***de around the world.
This commemoration means a lot to me for many reasons, but more because I am tired of getting the news that people who have the bed-wetting condition commit su***de. I have heard a lot of such case and it hurts.
People commit su***de mostly because of challenges that may have proven to be powerful than them. Meanwhile, our threshold for pain or trying times differ from one person to another. You will find out that what breaks Mr A, may not get to Mr B. Or it gets to Mr B, but he was able to quickly get over it.
Mostly, when people try to deal with serious life challenges but are unsuccessful with it, series of emotional problems set in. And the moment such individual enters depression mode, if not addressed, it can become that person's smooth ride to su***de.
Times without number, many victims of Enuresis who reached out to me, at least, 5 out of 10 have told me they are suicidal; they are willing to take their own lives because they are tired of having such an embarrassing, demoralizing and stigmatizing condition.
Beyond the fact that some problems are difficult to overcome, people often become more suicidal because of people's disposition about them and attitudes towards them. When individuals who are challenged health-wise are rejected, isolated or treated with no regard, they see themselves as outcasts and consider themselves unbefitting for this environment, hence, the thought to exclude themselves by giving up and killing themselves.
Truth is, a typical environment does not favor anyone who has a health challenge of any sort; body/physical deformation, Enuresis (urine incontinence), Encopresis (faeces incontinence), blindness, deafness and dumbness, cerebral palsy, burns, etc. However, as a society, we must bear in mind that nobody deserves to be treated with contempt or in a less-dignifying manner because of their health challenge.
We cannot all be the same, there are people with health or other kinds of challenges and it is our responsibility as a society to treat everyone with a sense of respect without shaming anyone. That is how it should be in an inclusive environment; everybody is respected, dignifying, safe from abuses, harassment, shaming or unfair criticism.
I am also not ignorant of the fact that the suicidal thoughts of some people stem from problems that have been existing even before they were born; mostly family/parental challenges and poverty. Joblessness and failure are also causative factors in some cases.
At PEACE ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE, we do not take days like this for granted, and of course, as the Founder of the Initiative, I do not joke with anything relating to Mental Health.
Aside from the fact that we promote interpersonal peace, the other aspect of our vision is helping people to ensure a stable and resilient mental health. It is why we say "Peace within is peace without". How much peaceful and sane you are within, will determine how well you will do in relating with people around you. So, it is pertinent that we give attention to our sanity/mental health, and look out for one another's wellbeing.
Let us do better. Let's help ourselves. The stress of life can be softened when we back ourselves up in love, empathy and sincere/genuine consideration.
Let us help people instead of making life difficult for them.
Many people with challenges have a lot going on with them already, don't add to their problems.
Ask questions. Don't just walk by an emotionally demoralized person without feeling concerned.
Counsel. Give words of advice.
Where you can, provide what can light up the spirit/soul of a dying individual. Don't act like you don't care.
Take action. Give someone some hope.
This is all I have been doing since I started my ENURESIS mission, and I am not giving up now, not even later.
It is no coincidence that our motto, at ENURESIS SUPPORT FOUNDATION is, "Giving voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless".
Do better today, tomorrow and forever.
Happy World Su***de Prevention Day
