By Rudo Saungweme
Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo has today officiated the World Mental Health day and suicide prevention commemorations where he stated that suicide is the second cause of death among young people after road traffic accidents.
The World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on the 10th of September and on 10th of October the World Mental Health is commemorated. The theme for this year`s World Mental Health day is “Suicide Prevention”.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Moyo said that after every 40 seconds, someone around the world dies from committing suicide.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 after road traffic accidents.
“Every 40 seconds, someone around the world dies from suicide, these are preventable deaths,” said Dr Moyo.
Minister Moyo indicated that suicide is often linked to mental health problems such as depression and substance abuse.
The Minister highlighted that there is need to urgently address stigma about mental health problems so as to prevent death by suicide.
“There is therefore an urgent need to reduce stigma about mental health problems and increase access to mental health services for those who need help in order to prevent death by suicide.
“We need to start talking about this silent epidemic,” said the Minister.
Minister Moyo encouraged everyone to be involved in raising awareness about mental health prevention through early identification and treatment of common mental health problems like depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
In Zimbabwe treatment for mental illness is available for free at all health institutions.
