WINDHOEK, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Namibia recorded 623 suicide cases between August 2022 and June 2023. Out of these, 511 cases, or 82 percent, were males, while 92 cases, or 15 percent, were females, according to program data, an official said Monday.

While commemorating the 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, Monday, Kalumbi Shangula, Namibian minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), warned that among the total number of suicides, 20 individuals, or 3.2 percent, were from the youth demographic, which is a cause of concern.

"This illustrates that the death rate by suicide is 21 per 100,000 population, with the highest incidence being experienced in Omusati, Oshikoto, and Hardap Regions," he said.

According to Shangula, these numbers confirm that suicide is a significant public health concern in Namibia and must serve as a call to action to prevent further incidences of suicide.

Shangula meanwhile said the Directorate Social Welfare Services in the MoHSS has established a national suicide prevention and treatment action group, which is a multisectoral team of experts consisting of different offices, ministries, and agencies of government, including regional chief social workers representing their regional action groups.

"The national action group is developing the second Suicide Prevention and Treatment Strategic Plan 2024-2028 with a clear implementation plan, as well as the Suicide Prevention Community Toolkit," he added.

The tools will provide guidelines on the establishment and strengthening of suicide prevention and treatment programs in all regions. These tools will be finalized and launched during the current financial year.

The 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day, which actually fell on Sunday, was marked with a theme featuring "Creating Hope Through Action."

"This theme guides us to take action as stakeholders and active members of the public to create hope for everyone around us," Shangula concluded. Enditem

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