Government Intensifies Interventions To Mitigate Suicide Among Youths

 

By ANNIE ZULU

GOVERNMENT has intensified sensitisation programs and mental health services at health facilities as part of interventions put in place to mitigate suicide cases among the youth in the country, Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba has said.

Ms Mwamba said the growing number of suicide cases, particularly among  young people had become a matter of great concern which required special attention.

She said young people, who are the majority of Zambia’s population contribute significantly to national development and as such, the country was being deprived of its productive resources.

The Minister said this when she presented a Ministerial Statement on the suicide cases among the youth in Parliament yesterday.

Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba

Ms Mwamba attributed the increasing number of suicide cases among the youth, mainly to relationship breakups, economic hardships and sexual abuse.

She also mentioned social networks as a contributing factor through imitating and idealizing suicidal behaviour.

Ms Mwamba has since called on all stakeholders, including members of communities to get involved in the prevention of suicide among the youth and the general public, stressing  that it was not only Government´s responsibility but everyone´s.

“This involvement should be encouraged at household level, church and at any community gathering,” Ms Mwamba said.

She further stressed the need for restriction of access to commonly abused substances that are used to commit suicide in the country.