PTSD, economic hardship(unemployment) cause of suicides-Neuropsychiatrist
A Neuro-psychiatrist, Prof. Richard Uwakwe has identified post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bad economic, insecurity and socio- political instability as major causes of the growing suicide acts now prevalent in Nigeria. He how advised that paying attention to traumatised persons, showing concern and human compassion could go a long way in curbing the upsurge.
Uwakwe made the suggestions,Thursday, at the second edition of public lecture of the College of Medicine, Enugu state University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Parklane-Enugu.
Uwakwe, a guest lecturer from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka said that study of suicide was a herculean task as it is philosophical, psychological, sociological and neurobiological. He cited incidences of suicide cases in Nigeria to include the medical doctor that jumped into Lagos lagoon, the case of a Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor, and so many University Students whose statistics showed that they recorded 42 percent of the increase in last six months
According to him, “suicide is not a case of mental disorder, even though that 90 percent of the people who have committed suicide were mentally deranged. “There is no cure for suicide, but individual and collective responsibility, such as listening, showing concern and human compassion could go Memory Lane in retarding the increase.
“Government should create enabling environment for employment, the number of unemployed youths in the country is too alarming; many of these cases are out of economic hardship. “Church leaders community, health workers, every human being should join in hands to curb it,” Uwakwe suggested.
The World Health Organisation had earlier this month warned that over 24 million Nigerians may suffer from various mental disorder(s), a situation worsened by the dismal number of health institutions and professionals.
And just recently the daughter of the former governor of Oyo state, self-acclaimed journalist and social media influencer Miss Kemi Oluloyo raised and alarmed and called for help following what she called her increasingly suicidal thoughts as a result of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from her incarceration in a Port Harcourt prison.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/truma-bad-economy-cause-of-suicide-psychiatrist/
