There’s no word to explain depression that would make the word unique in its angst. It is following many Nigerians like a black shadow, making most people wish they were someone else. It is like heavy ice melting on people, and it seems there is no lighthouse in sight for rescue. Depression and suicide are twin causes of death that are increasing in prevalence for all age groups in Nigeria but why isn’t anyone talking about it?.
According to research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July 2018, Nigeria ranked 5th on the World annual suicide list. In 2017, a middle-aged medical Doctor instructed his driver to park beside the Lagos famous third mainland bridge, and while people thought he was there for sightseeing, he jumped inside the Lagoon to find peace uncannily, no words, no suicide note, which left his driver in shock.
In March 2018, a 500 level student of University of Benin committed suicide in his apartment. On Saturday 17, 2018 one Madam Veronica Uzoaku who was said to be a grandmother abandoned her cooking halfway, went inside her room and took her life. And just recently, Desmond a final year student of Godfrey Okoye University committed suicide after failing a course.
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A third-year Physics/Astronomy undergraduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Onyebuchi Okonkwo, was found dead at an uncompleted building located beside the hockey pitch in the school. He is believed to have committed suicide as his lifeless body was found dangling on a rope suspended from a height.
An undergraduate of the Niger Delta University, Aduba Daniel, reportedly committed suicide by drinking a deadly insecticide known locally as ‘Sniper’. It was discovered that the deceased had carry-overs in four courses and this must have led him to take his own life.
A 15-year-old senior secondary school student, Paschal Egbosimba, was reported to have committed suicide at Uratta in Owerri North local council area of Imo State. And most recently, the body of a man was found dangling on a Mango tree after a lady he sponsored through University abandoned him to marry another man.
These are just a few of the cases of suicide in Nigeria. While these are recorded accounts of some people who chose the suicide way, there are many unrecorded cases shrouded in secrecy because of public opinion.
Depression is the garden that nurtures the belief that suicide is an escape to life’s struggles. It plants a seed of anguish that makes people believe no one cares for them probably because they lost their jobs, life partner or the thought of a massive debt breathing down their necks.
While depression may be considered as one of the leading causes of suicide in the country, other factors like poor mental health, eg. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychological issues that are outside the spectrum of normal behaviour can also lead to suicide.
Depression is not for the poor alone or for people who failed in their careers; it also visits the rich, and most celebrities you see on social media are actually going through one form of depression or the other. On September 6, 2018, Harrysong, a Nigerian musician made a suicide post on his Instagram page which got his fans worried. He wrote “ Don’t cry (when) I die, celebrate, put up a kingmaker concert, empower more youths, I have lived, I have done my bit, carry on in grace… TEKERO I love you all #altersoldier”.
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Two days after his suicide note on Instagram, famous music producer Samklef posted on his Instagram page seeking help concerning an emotional problem he has been battling with even before he became famous. He wrote “ I need emotional counseling; it’s eating me deeply. I’ve been going through this problem since I was 11 years old.”
How to Defeat Depression
No remedy will work if the mind is not ready to conquer depression. The first place in avoiding depression is in the brain. You have to train your mind to the fight. Nobody has it easy. Life is full of uncertainties. But always know that someone is willing to listen only if you share your problems. Most importantly seek medical help. Depression is seen by doctors a disease of the mind and it is highly treatable just like many diseases.
The greatest obstacle to treatment is the societal perception of the depressed person being “mad” and so it is still a taboo to admit that one is plagued by “madness”. Mental illness should be seen as any other illness and it is high time we all changed our attitude and take a good look at the person beside us, colleague, friend, daughter, son, parent and watch out for signs that they may be crying silently inside.
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