Introduction

There has been so many cases of people jumping off balconies from high buildings leading to their deaths and some being found, necks swinging from their ceilings. The question majority of us have asked ourselves is ‘was it suicide or were they pushed to by circumstances?’

Was it suicide or was there someone else in the room who drove them to that last option or gave them a physical push? Let’s check out the multiple cases that have been reported so far:

• 1. Monday morning, 15th January 2024 , a man in a towel was captured on video jumping from a window in a five-storey building in Mombasa County.  In the video recorded by residents, the man was seen standing on the window, with people shouting and urging him not to jump. He ended up jumping regardless of the pleas, landing on the tarmac.
• 2. On December 12, 2023, Jamhuri Day, authorities reported four cases of suicide in various regions across the country: - In Embakasi, Nairobi County, a pregnant 38-year-old woman was found dead with her body dangling in her house. By the time police broke into the house, the noose was loose, and her feet were touching the ground. The baby also did not survive. - Elsewhere, in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, a 39-year-old man died by suicide inside his house. However, his wife rescued him and rushed the deceased to Sagana Sub-County Hospital, where he was reported dead on arrival. - In Murang’a Sub location, the body of a 35-year-old woman was found dangling in his house. Police said she had died by suicide. The motive of the incident is yet to be known, but an investigation has been opened. - In Kibwezi, Makueni County, a 37-year-old man was found dead after a suspected suicide.
• 3. Similarly in August 2023, an engineering student from Mwembe Tayari in Mombasa County set himself on fire as a desperate response to the harsh economic conditions.  Although he was rescued by the public and the fire put out, he succumbed to severe injuries a day later.

In response to these incidents, the police have initiated investigations, recognizing that suicide continues to be a significant contributor to mortality rates in the nation.

Globally, 703 000 people take their own life every year, with the WHO stating that suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds in 2019. The WHO cited poor data, lack of awareness of suicide as a major public health issue, and the taboo in many societies around openly discussing suicide as obstacles to fighting the problem.

Data from the World Bank puts suicide mortality rates in Kenya at 6.1 people in every 100,000, with men being in the highest risk category, with 9.1 men in every 100,000 affected.

The purpose of this post is to raise awareness on the effects of mental illness when unchecked or untreated. A lot of our people are suffering internally, especially MEN. Please, if you feel like you do need someone to talk to, please reach out to the helpline provided! DO NOT DIE SILENTLY! YOU MATTER!

Counselors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issue. Call the Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199, for support.