Omusati suicide concerns

MORE than 40 people in the Omusati Region have taken their own life since January.

The Police Commander in Omusati, Deputy Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, said that the number of suicide cases was a cause for great concern to the Police and community leaders in the region. “The Police have called on regional, traditional, church and other community leaders to get together to discuss this problem,” Kashihakumwa said, adding that it was most prevalent in the Outapi, Okahao and Tsandi constituencies.He said most of those hanging themselves were older than 18 and that some had left suicide notes explaining why they had taken such a drastic step.”Some of them are those who are affected by the new illness [HIV-AIDS], and said that they were tired of the bad treatment they received from their families and relatives,” Kashihakumwa said.”This is really a very serious situation facing Omusati Region and something has to be done to stop it,” he said.According to the Police officer, community leaders should talk to their communities and arrange counselling for people who are depressed.”We have church leaders, we have social workers in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and I think if all those people who have problems can go to them and speak out their problems they can be assisted,” he said.”The Police have called on regional, traditional, church and other community leaders to get together to discuss this problem,” Kashihakumwa said, adding that it was most prevalent in the Outapi, Okahao and Tsandi constituencies.He said most of those hanging themselves were older than 18 and that some had left suicide notes explaining why they had taken such a drastic step.”Some of them are those who are affected by the new illness [HIV-AIDS], and said that they were tired of the bad treatment they received from their families and relatives,” Kashihakumwa said.”This is really a very serious situation facing Omusati Region and something has to be done to stop it,” he said.According to the Police officer, community leaders should talk to their communities and arrange counselling for people who are depressed.”We have church leaders, we have social workers in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and I think if all those people who have problems can go to them and speak out their problems they can be assisted,” he said.