By Grace Damulak
The Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH Suicide Prevention and Response Unit has emphasized the need to decriminalize suicide and prioritize mental health.
The call was made during a mental health outreach at the Internally Displaced Persons,IDP Camp in Riyom Local Government Area, held to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day.
World Suicide Prevention Day is Observed globally on the 10th of october to raise awareness, foster compassion, and promote collective action in preventing suicides.
Section 327 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act, states, that Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year.
Team lead, Suicide Prevention Unit, JutH Dr Bwatyum Gyang who explained that suicide is one of the consequences of untreated mental health conditions, said criminalising it has not deterred people from attempting it hence the need for laws to be enacted to prevent it.
Dr Gyang stated that Riyom is one of the worst hit by banditry attacks and explained that the team was at the IDP camp to identify with those with mental health issues and begin the trauma healing process emphasizing that a traumatised society is a damaged society.
Receiving the group, the Dagom Rwei Riyom Da Samuel Jok highlighted the traumatic effect of the incessant attacks lamenting that despite several peace agreements, the attack remains unabated leading to loss of lives, property and source of livelihood.
He added that the insecurity has lead to idleness thus rise in social vices particularly drug abuse attributing it to the increase in mental health issues and suicide among the youths in the community.
Some of the beneficiaries including Dauda Dachung and Paulina Pam while appreciating the group for the gesture, called on the government to be more proactive in dealing with the insecurity and to relocate them back to their homes.
Edited by Karen keyen
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