The Advisor for Non-communicable Diseases, Injuries, and Mental Health at AfricaCDC, Dr Naeem Dalal, has revealed that more men commit suicide in Africa than previously believed, News About Nigeria reports.
This is contrary to popular opinion that more women are at the receiving end of suicide in Africa.
Dr Dalal disclosed this information during his speech at the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) in Lusaka, Zambia, on Tuesday.
He pointed out that statistics indicate a higher rate of active suicide among men in Africa.
He attributed this trend to cultural stereotypes that discourage African men from seeking emotional and mental wellness support.
Furthermore, Dr. Dalal emphasized the societal expectation for men in Africa to be responsible breadwinners in their communities.
This expectation makes it challenging for them to express vulnerability, as African men are taught from a young age to embody strength.
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Dalal distinguished between two forms of suicide – passive and active.
Passive suicide involves individuals contemplating harming themselves but not acting on those thoughts, whereas active suicide refers to instances where individuals carry out the act of killing themselves.
He acknowledged ongoing advocacy efforts to change this alarming trend, with a focus on promoting awareness among the younger generation, as they are most affected by the rising incidence of suicide.
The CPHIA, an annual event organized by the Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), held its 2023 edition in Gambia under the theme “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture.”
