Changing the narrative: Why suicide is preventable, not punishable

DAR ES SALAAM: EVERY forty-five seconds, somewhere in the world, a person ends own life. Suicide is a silent global epidemic, claiming more than 720,000 lives every year according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29, a chilling reminder of how fragile the human spirit can become when weighed down by invisible struggles.

Despite a gradual decline in global suicide rates, dropping from 10.33 deaths per 100,000 people in 1990 to 7.24 in 2021, the numbers remain unacceptably high.

Recent studies estimate that 746,000 people died by suicide in 2021 alone, with men accounting for 519,000 and women for 227,000 of these deaths.

What is even more concerning is that almost three quarters of these suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to mental health services is often limited.

Tanzania is not immune to this crisis. Behind the statistics are stories of despair, broken families and communities left asking what more could have been done.

A psychiatrist at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dr Nuruely Kitomary, believes the key lies in collective responsibility.

“We must all work together as stakeholders to provide mental health support and build nurturing environments starting from childhood,” he said.

He added, “when children grow up in spaces that promote understanding, compassion and resilience, we create a safety net that reduces the likelihood of suicide later in life.” His words echo a universal truth, suicide is preventable, but only if society chooses to act.

While doctors call for early intervention and support, legal frameworks sometimes create more harm than healing.

The head of legal department at MNH, Advocate Veronica Hellar, points to Tanzania’s Article 14 of the Constitution of Tanzania on the right to life, which punishes attempted suicide with up to five years in prison and a fine.

“This law must change. The majority of people who attempt suicide are battling mental health challenges. They do not need punishment; they need care, compassion and treatment. Criminalising their pain only deepens the cycle of stigma and silence.”

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Her appeal speaks to a growing international consensus that laws must be rewritten to reflect compassion rather than condemnation.

At the community level, the voices of ordinary citizens paint an equally compelling picture.

Ms Usu Malya, who represents grassroots perspectives, insists that education is the most powerful tool in preventing suicide.

“Most people who think of ending their lives are struggling with mental health challenges and are overwhelmed by problems they cannot carry,” she said.

Ms Malya added, “society must understand this reality. Suicide can be prevented if families, neighbours and communities recognise the signs early and offer support instead of judgment.”

For Ms Malya, the tragedy of suicide is not only in the act itself but in the missed opportunities for intervention. The Tanzania Psychological Association (TAPA) has made suicide prevention a cornerstone of its work.

Through public awareness campaigns, media outreach and social media engagement, the organisation has sought to challenge stigma and promote mental health. T

APA’s Public Relations Officer, Ms Ostela Mfuse, explained that this year their efforts align with WHO’s global theme: “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”

The focus, she said, is on breaking silence, eliminating stigma and creating spaces where people can seek help without fear.

“We are urging the public to talk openly about mental health, to seek help early and to support one another in families, schools and workplaces. Everyone has a role to play, because every person can save a life simply by listening and offering a shoulder of support,” said Ms Mfuse.

Around the world, the urgency is growing. In England and Wales, 6,069 suicides were registered in 2023, the highest number since 1999.

In the United States, more than 49,000 people took their lives in 2023, averaging one death every 11 minutes.

Japan recorded a worrying increase in youth suicides, with over 1,000 deaths among people aged 15 to 29 in 2024.

In India, states like Bihar reported nearly 100 suicides in just one year, most among young adults aged 18 to 40. What ties these global stories together is the pressing need to change how society views suicide.

It is not a crime nor a moral failure, but often the final expression of unaddressed pain.

Families, educators, health professionals, journalists and policymakers all have roles to play in reversing the tide. Families and schools must create environments where children learn resilience and emotional openness from a young age.

Legal systems must shift from punishment to protection, recognising that compassion is the true antidote to despair. Communities must rally around the vulnerable, ensuring no one feels alone in their darkest hour.

Media and civil society must continue amplifying the message that help exists, hope is real and recovery is possible. As the world marks the campaign to Change the Narrative on Suicide, Tanzania stands at a crossroads.

We can choose to remain silent, bound by stigma and outdated laws or we can take bold steps to protect life. The message is simple yet powerful: Suicide is preventable.

By replacing stigma with support, judgment with compassion and silence with open dialogue, we can save countless lives.

The time to act is now, because every life matters and every conversation could be the one that turns despair into hope