Police in Karonga District have expressed concern over 12 suicide cases recorded in Traditional Authority (T/A) Wasambo in the past 10 months, calling the trend regrettable.
To address the situation, Uliwa Pastors Fraternal organised an awareness campaign which involved the police, Karonga District Council and traditional leaders to discourage people from committing suicide.
Chilumba Police Post general duties officer Inspector Lloyd Kasuntha reported that between January and October, they recorded 12 suicide cases, calling for more awareness on mental health.
He said: “We thank the organisers for the awareness. People should know that life is precious and needs special care.
“Therefore, people should always seek counselling when facing social, financial or marital problems instead of taking their own lives.”
Karonga district principal gender development officer Ireen Mwenilupembe also urged people in T/A Wasambo in the district to seek police or social welfare help whenever they face marital or financial chllenges.
She said: “Suicide deprives the community of productive citizens who would have contributed towards their families and community’s welfare.
“Therefore, we urge people to look out for signs of mental health problems among their relatives so that they can report to relevant authorities such as hospitals, social welfare and gender offices or victim support unit.”
Group village head Mwanyanja commended the Pastors Fraternal for the meeting, saying the development is negatively affecting development.
Wasambo Pastors Fraternal chairperson Reverend William Simbeye said any death affects the church, community, government and development.
He said: “Life comes from God, as such, God wants that life to be healthy and productive socially and spiritually.
“Therefore, deaths affect development and spiritual life; hence, the need to desist from committing suicide.”
Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre supported the awareness campaign under Pamoza, an Advocacy for Social Justice project running with funding from the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid in the district.
