Bula
The big one on the front page of The Fiji Times for Monday, September 9 is about the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) commander’s take on the army still being a relevant institution in Fiji and with a lot to do for the country. Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai says the army is more than “uniforms and guns”. During an interview on The Lens @177, Ro Kalouniwai says there has been a lot of discussion on what the productivity of the RFMF was.
In the second story on Page 11, Fiji’s $1.3billion total domestic exports in 2023 were dominated by agricultural commodities. This was revealed in Parliament last week by Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu.- More on PAGE 13.
Synopsis
Impact of suicides
THE revelation that the highest number of suicide and attempted suicide cases were recorded in 2019 with 244 cases is cause for concern.
Given the figures, the Western Division recorded the most every year for the past six years.
While highlighting this in Parliament, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Atonio Lalabalavu encouraged Fijians to start the conversation on the issue of suicide and suicide prevention.
The World Health Organization, Dr Lalabalavu said, stated approximately 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which means one in every 40 seconds.
For Fiji, he said, the suicide and attempted suicide statistics gathered by the Fiji Police Force in the six years from 2016 to 2021, revealed a total of 1276 suicide and suicide attempted cases.
There are an average of 213 cases per year with about half the number leading to deaths.
Dr Lalabalavu called on Fijians to work together to address the problem.
“Working very closely with the National Committee on the Prevention of Suicide, we will be commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday September 10, 2024 with the launch of the Suicide Prevention 2024 theme “change the narrative with the call to action, start the conversation”,” he said.
Changing the narrative on suicide, he said, is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from the culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support.
Every conversation, he said, contributes to a supportive and understanding society.
Opposition MP Rinesh Sharma is on the record, suggesting Fiji was considered to have one of the highest suicide rates in the world.
“It has been revealed by Lifeline Fiji that a Fijian citizen attempts to take his own life every 36 hours,” Mr Sharma said.
“And the youngest victim was a seven-year-old child.”
The revelations are a major concern.
It is clear that addressing the suicide crisis in Fiji requires a multi-faceted approach.
This will nvolve improving mental health services, increasing public awareness, and dismantling the barriers that prevent people from seeking help. The call to “change the narrative” is a step towards creating an environment where people feel safe to speak about their struggles without fear of judgment.
The high incidence of suicide and attempted suicide in Fiji is a critical issue that demands immediate and sustained action. So let’s talk about open dialogue and provide support. There are Fijians out there who need our support. World Suicide Prevention Day serves as a timely reminder of the collective responsibility to create a more understanding and supportive society. There should be hope for a future where fewer lives are lost to this tragedy.
