The numbers coming out of the panel discussion at the World Suicide Prevention Day opening on Wednesday are shocking. They tug at the heart strings! They should be a major concern for us all. Lives are lost and families and loved ones impacted by the actions of some.
And that’s a great concern.
We learn that a vast majority of men in Fiji choose to handle their personal emotional problems by consuming excessive amounts of kava for instance.
That’s the word from Lifeline Fiji’s Jeremaia Merekula.
These numbers represent fathers, brothers, sons, and, in many cases, heads of households whose sudden absence leaves a devastating vacuum in the lives of their families.
When the head of a family is lost in such a manner, the consequences cascade through the household.
It can provide challenges in the household, from putting bread on the table, and securing shelter and stability. Then there is the issue of reassurance that children need in their formative years?
Let’s face it, a single life lost to suicide can unravel the very foundations upon which a family depends. For children, the emotional scars may last a lifetime, shaping their futures in ways society often fails to recognise.
Each life lost diminishes the strength of our communities and chips away at the fabric of our nation.
The observations shared by Mr Merekula cast further light on a concerning issue.
There is a cultural problem as well. A culture of silence! From a young age, boys are told: “You are a male, you must not cry.”
They are conditioned to equate emotion with weakness, and vulnerability with failure.
In adulthood, this manifests as men bottling up their struggles, hiding their despair, and turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
In saying that, we say silence has its price. Emotional turmoil that is unacknowledged or unspoken builds pressure over time.
Mr Merekula’s words ring with painful truth: if what we call “respect” leads to losing loved ones, then it is not respect at all!
Our numbers are rising at a time when families already grapple with a lot of pressures. The cost of living is rising. Securing housing is a major concern. Many households live day to day, anxious about whether they can provide food and basic needs.
In such an environment, the weight of unspoken emotional struggles can quickly become unbearable for anyone.
This is why we must acknowledge that problems exist and that depression and suicidal thoughts are not distant or abstract concerns. Recognising the warning signs is vital.
They are calls for help.
We need a collective resolve. Families must create safe spaces for open conversations. Communities must offer support. Institutions must provide accessible mental health services and promote healthy coping mechanisms.
Seeking help should not be perceived as weakness.
In saying that, this is not solely the work of health professionals or non-governmental organisations.
Let’s embrace suicide prevention as a national priority.
Silence is not an option!
