Tanzania’s hidden crisis: Suicides

WORLD Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) by International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and World Health Organisation (WHO) aims to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health.

In Tanzania, it underscores the growing acknowledgment of mental health issues and suicide as urgent public health concerns, amid challenges like cultural stigma and limited resources.

In 2019, the country’s rate for this health or social indicator, according to data released by the WHO, was 9.7 per 100,000 population.

The data reveals a significant gender disparity: females had a rate of 4.8, while males had a rate of 14.8, indicating that men experience the metric 3.1 times more frequently than women.

The percentage change from the previous period was a slight decline of -0.41per cent, reflecting a minor decrease in prevalence.

These metrics, highlighting gender distribution and trends over time, place Tanzania 2nd in East Africa, trailing only behind Kenya, 34th in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 106th globally.

Research Findings

Research on mental health in the country highlights critical challenges. The 2021 study “Suicide in Tanzania”
estimates a rate of 4 to 8 per 100,000 people, with concerns growing, especially in rural areas lacking mental
health services.

The 2020 study “Mental Health and Stigma” reveals gaps in awareness due to cultural stigma and underreporting, stressing the need for public education.

The 2019 study “Assessing Mental

Health Services” identifies severe shortages in professionals and facilities. The 2022 study “Cultural Influences on Mental Health” notes that stigma still hinders help-seeking. Despite progress through government and NGO efforts highlighted in “Evaluating Mental Health Interventions” (2023), reaching
underserved areas remain difficult.

The 2021 study “The Role of Community and Media” shows improved awareness through community programmes and media campaigns, though gaps persist.

The 2024 study “Strategic Recommendations” advocates for better data collection, expanded services and enhanced public education to address mental health needs effectively.

These findings collectively underscore the importance of addressing mental health and suicide issues in
Tanzania through enhanced awareness, resource allocation, and support systems.

Happenings

Each evening, Mary Lyatuu visits her daughter Sarah’s grave at Kinondoni Cemetery in Dar es Salaam, grappling with the profound loss years after Sarah’s tragic death.

“My heart aches; she never said goodbye,” Lyatuu laments.

Amid the cemetery’s silence, she clutches her rosary and whispers prayers in search of solace. Despite her academic achievements, Sarah’s inability to find a job deepened her despair, leading to her tragic end three years.

Similarly, the impact of personal despair was felt across various communities in the country. In Sinza, Dar es Salaam, the community was stunned in late July 2021 when 29-year-old accountant Alex Korosso, consumed by personal turmoil, fatally shot his friend during an argument over a drink before taking his own life, leaving residents in disbelief.

In Mwanza, Jorum Makumbi still grapples with the memory of the phone call that delivered the devastating
news of his son Bakari’s death. “It was a trauma I can hardly bear to remember,” he says.
While working in the field, Makumbi learned that his 21-year-old son had hanged himself with a bedsheet. “The reasons behind his decision remain a profound mystery,” he reflects, struggling to understand the loss.

Amid these personal tragedies, another sorrowful event occurred in Dodoma. On Thursday, May 16, 2024,
at approximately 1:00 p.m., Bishop Joseph Bundala, 55, of the Methodist Church, tragically took his own life
in the restroom of his office in Meriwa Ward, Dodoma. Overwhelmed by mounting debts, he used a telephone wire to end his life.

Statistics

Suicide rate data in Sub-Saharan Africa is limited due to data collection challenges and varying healthcare
infrastructure. WHO notes that rates are generally lower than global averages but vary widely, with some countries reporting as low as 5 per 100,000 and others higher.

The Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study estimates an age- standardised rate of about 7 per 100,000, with rising trends in some areas. For example, South Africa’s rate is 15 to 20 per 100,000, Nigeria’s is around 6 to 10 and Kenya’s is about 8. In Tanzania, rates range from 4 to 8 per 100,000, but data is unreliable due to underreporting and stigma. Despite efforts like Rwanda’s mental health integration into primary care, challenges persist. Effective prevention requires improved national policies, awareness and services.

Way Forward

To address mental health and suicide issues in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania, efforts should prioritise improving data collection and integrating mental health services into primary care while expanding resources.

Increasing public awareness to reduce stigma and supporting community-based counseling and crisis intervention programs are essential. It is also crucial to implement comprehensive national mental health policies with clear suicide prevention strategies and allocate necessary resources.

Enhancing access through telemedicine and mobile health services, supporting families and caregivers, and investing in research to better understand and address mental health challenges should be central to these efforts.