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Good morning.
Just wanted to share some thoughts on suicide in Nigeria - what CAN we do to prevent the high frequency of episodes?
With any solution unless it addresses the cause then it’s unlikely to have impact.1
THREAD
Just wanted to share some thoughts on suicide in Nigeria - what CAN we do to prevent the high frequency of episodes?
With any solution unless it addresses the cause then it’s unlikely to have impact.1
THREAD
1. Education and awareness - we must educate people about suicide - we must sincerely tackle wrong norms or beliefs and teach the truth about suicide.
We must destigmatise it and decriminalise it so people can seek help when needed./2
We must destigmatise it and decriminalise it so people can seek help when needed./2
2. Identification and treatment.
This is the biggest area -and toughest.
Particularly in a society where people are conservative, limited by funds and cannot readily access adequate healthcare where they need it.
It’s tough where there are inadequate health systems /3
This is the biggest area -and toughest.
Particularly in a society where people are conservative, limited by funds and cannot readily access adequate healthcare where they need it.
It’s tough where there are inadequate health systems /3
and workers that can properly assess a persons mental state and then treat correctly.
The treatments vary and require time plus a supportive environment or structure.
So there are no ‘easy’ ways of getting around it - a working treatment system needs facilities that /4
The treatments vary and require time plus a supportive environment or structure.
So there are no ‘easy’ ways of getting around it - a working treatment system needs facilities that /4
are well equipped and manned by staff who are well trained - all that takes time to set up and develop.
But it is possible in Nigeria with good governance and planning./5
But it is possible in Nigeria with good governance and planning./5
3. Suicide Tools.
I support restricting access to harmful objects and adapting environments to keep people safe.
Examples may be:
a.publicly denote a substance as very toxic and limit it’s public access.
This does not mean an outright ban, but may be reduce the outlets
I support restricting access to harmful objects and adapting environments to keep people safe.
Examples may be:
a.publicly denote a substance as very toxic and limit it’s public access.
This does not mean an outright ban, but may be reduce the outlets
....where items are sold
b. sell only limited amounts of the item at a time to the general public.
This must be placed in context recognising the nature of our markets and how hard it is to regulate.
c. consider ‘popular’ methods people use to attempt suicide .....6/
b. sell only limited amounts of the item at a time to the general public.
This must be placed in context recognising the nature of our markets and how hard it is to regulate.
c. consider ‘popular’ methods people use to attempt suicide .....6/
and ask - ‘how do people access them; and can we make it more difficult for them to access as a safety measure’ eg putting barriers over low bridges.
While this ALONE will not solve the problem , in addition to other measures it can help in
buying time ..... 7/
While this ALONE will not solve the problem , in addition to other measures it can help in
buying time ..... 7/
...perhaps for someone to get help e.g. speak to someone who can help -: 8/End
cnn.com/2018/09/10/hea…
cnn.com/2018/09/10/hea…
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