A consultant Psychiatrist with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ayo Omotosho, has urged the federal government not to continue to criminalise attempted suicide, saying that it is usually caused by depression.
The psychiatrist made the appeal in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Ilorin. He said depression was a mental illness and people suffering from it deserve sympathy from the government and members of the public, rather than condemnation.
He said: “Depression is like any other illness. Depression is like every health condition. People suffering from it should not be put behind bars for attempting suicide.”
Omotosho, who lectures in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, decried the alarming rate of suicides in the country. He disclosed that about three million
Nigerians are currently suffering from depression, while identifying sadness as one of its symptoms.
The don urged people around those experiencing depression to be supportive and to render help where necessary to prevent the victims from becoming suicidal.
“The focus of depression is the behavioural aspect. Depression can lead to suicidal ideation and sometimes harming oneself. Depression can be said to be a fracture of the mind. Those suffering from it have negative thoughts about themselves, the world around them and the
future, because they have Depressive Cognition; they think differently,” he said.
Omotosho identified three ways in which a person could be predisposed to depression to include biological, psychological and sociological factors.
“The biological reasons include genetics. If someone’s parents were depressed, there is a higher chance that such a person at some point in his or her life will suffer depression. Then there may be
interaction with hard substances, which may lead to brain changes and which may predispose to mental health condition.
“For the psychological factor, people who are pessimistic may be more prone to depression, so also those with low self esteem,’’ he said.
According to the psychiatrist, the sociological factor is triggered by life events such as losing a job, and negative or bad experiences.
“Significant things that happen to a person and he feels it is overwhelming and doesn’t talk about it may lead to depression,” he added.
Omotosho called for responsible reporting of suicide cases by the media, advocating more awareness on prevention of depression. He cautioned the media to avoid detailed and graphic reportage of suicide, saying it could lead to ‘copycat suicide,’ which may lead to an increase in the rate of the menace.
