On this World Suicide Prevention Day, I am thinking back on how far society has come in addressing the issue of suicide. Observing the increased advocacy and awareness around this once taboo topic gives me hope. Suicide was not a topic that was openly discussed when I was growing up, and I still clearly recall the first time it happened to someone I knew.
We lost a good friend to suicide shortly after high school. The experience was deeply traumatic for all of us. Our friend was vibrant, successful, and in a relationship. His death came as a shock—it was unforeseen and incomprehensible. I recall the fear, confusion, and pain that filled our group of friends. We had no way to process such a tragedy because, back then, suicide was shrouded in stigma. There was little to no conversation around it. In fact, I remember he came from a tribe in Kenya where a person who dies by suicide is beaten and not given a dignified burial “to punish him for taking his life.”
That’s the thing about suicide. Try as you might to remember how a person lived his life, you always end up thinking about how he ended it.
Anderson Cooper
Suicide and the Law in Kenya
In Kenya, the issue of suicide is still wrapped in legal and societal complexities. Under Section 226 of the Penal Code, attempted suicide is classified as a misdemeanor. This means that individuals who survive an attempt can be punished by up to two years in prison, a fine, or both under Section 36 of the same law. While many countries have decriminalized attempted suicide, Kenya still treats it as a criminal act.
The criminalization of attempted suicide only adds to the stigma surrounding the issue. Instead of offering support to individuals grappling with their mental health, the law subjects them to punitive measures. It is a reminder of how far we still need to go in changing the way we address suicide and mental health issues.
Death by Suicide vs. “Committing” Suicide
A key part of this advocacy involves changing the language we use. The phrase “committing suicide” carries with it a sense of wrongdoing, much like committing a crime. However, suicide is not a moral failing; it is the tragic outcome of overwhelming emotional pain or mental illness. By shifting the language to “death by suicide,” we move away from stigmatizing individuals and instead focus on the underlying issues that led them to such a point.
To write poetry and to commit suicide, apparently so contradictory, had really been the same, attempts at escape.
John Fowles
The Effects of Stigmatization and Trauma
The stigma attached to suicide can have devastating effects. For those contemplating suicide, the fear of being judged or criminalized can prevent them from seeking help. For the families and friends left behind, the grief is compounded by feelings of shame and confusion. When our friend died, we were left questioning everything: Was there something we missed? Could we have done something to prevent it? The trauma of losing someone to suicide often comes with these unanswerable questions, leaving a lasting impact on loved ones.
The stigma also extends to mental health treatment. Many people, especially in our African context, still struggle to open up about their mental health challenges because of societal pressures to appear strong or unshakeable. The fear of being judged or shunned stops people from seeking help when they need it most.
Advocacy and Better Awareness
Thankfully, the world is changing. There is a growing understanding that suicide is preventable and that mental health issues must be treated with the same seriousness as physical ailments. Through heightened advocacy and open conversations, we can break down the walls of stigma and learn to recognize the signs of distress in those around us.
Increased advocacy has the potential to save lives. It empowers us to notice the subtle signs in our friends, family members, or colleagues—signs that they may be struggling. These signs could include sudden changes in behavior, withdrawal from social interactions, or expressions of hopelessness. Armed with this knowledge, we can offer support and guide them towards professional help.
On this World Suicide Prevention Day, I remember my friend, and I think about how much we have learned as a society since then. The conversation around mental health and suicide has gained momentum, but there is still much work to be done. By continuing to speak openly, challenge harmful stigmas, and push for legal reforms, we can build a future where no one feels they have to suffer in silence.
Let us continue to advocate for compassion, understanding, and proper mental health support systems. Lives depend on it.
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma #StopSuicide
