In Nigeria, there has been a recent upward trend in the number of successful and failed suicides. While many feel that the reason for suicide attempts is dissatisfaction caused by poverty, there is more to it than meets the eye. If that statement is correct, we should only include poor people on lists of those who committed themselves or attempted suicide. Suicidal ideation is common among both the wealthy and the impoverished. It is not only money that brings happiness; it is the failure to obtain other forms of satisfaction that causes depression, which leads to suicidal thoughts.
Most of the time, life does not treat some people fairly. Life, in its unpredictability, does not follow a White-Black or Yes-No pattern for some; it may play out in a difficult fashion for others, and it may be smooth and easy for a few others as they sail. What appears to be a desirable expectation for one person may not be valuable to somebody. This may be said about our requirements in all aspects of our lives as humans.
When one’s thoughts and actions are always in conflict with normalcy, his mental health suffers. Mental health is defined as a condition of total physical and mental well-being, not only the absence of disease, infirmity, disorder, or incapacity. The definition is by implication, means mental health refers to cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Those who speak up and express their ideas with others are less likely to experience depression. They are often psychologically healthy. Introverts, on the other hand, are wired to isolate themselves and deal with their problems on their own, which eventually leads to depression. People also worry expressing their life troubles with others fearing they would be mocked for their problems later in life. Man can also be cruel to his fellow man by sharing issues with them, which serve as the foundation for arguments and jest. Our current condition of mental health has a significant impact on how we think, feel, interact, and behave. As a result, our mental health is a vital element of our health and fully embraces our whole life and living.
An individual’s ability to cope with stress and control his emotions, as well as other life obstacles, indicates his mental health. A mental aberration arises when our actions, thoughts, and emotions are out of control or no longer orderly.
Folake Abiola, a Lagos accountant at a telecoms company, committed suicide recently after reportedly suffering from depression for years. Again, in April 2022, police prevented a 65-year-old man from jumping into the Lagos lagoon. The sexagenarian attempted suicide on his birthday, citing frustration and personal issues.
The same thing happened in February of this year, when Rapid Response Squad members prevented a woman from committing suicide by stopping her from plunging into the Lagos lagoon. It should also be noted that in December 2021, Lekan Odunare, a Diploma degree holder, was seen jumping into the depths. His wife later stated that the suicide was motivated by melancholy and frustration. Just a few days ago, patrol officials from the Lekki Concession Company prevented a young man from killing himself on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. Cases of unsuccessful and successful suicide attempts abound, and this tendency is concerning and troubling.
excellent mental health is essential for excellent physical health. Biological, socioeconomic, and environmental factors all have a significant impact on mental health. If these variables are not addressed, mental health care will suffer. We cannot leave the responsibility of caring for our mental health to chance. A proper understanding of mental health would aid in the care and treatment of mentally ill individuals.
A well-known quote states that “mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about the way you drive, not the destination.” This lays credence to the fact that our current state of mental health is a reflection of how we are faring in our life’s journey. If you’re psychologically healthy, you’ll be alright while travelling. A mental illness is a problem or ailment that affects one’s emotions, mood, thinking, and behavior. It does not imply complete lunacy or being deranged.
In the words of John Green, the author of the best-selling novel The Fault in Our Stars. He jokes: “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” Override your ideas and feelings with the limitless possibilities that optimism offers. Remember: you are not your thoughts. So be kind to yourself by firmly keeping hope alive when ideas of hopelessness.
Crawl in. Hope and speaking out provide help. When you are depressed, communicate with someone; be heard and understood, and then get treatment from counsellors and mental health professionals.
