Sun, 27 Aug 2017 13:27:04 +0000
Dear Editor,
The recent spate of suicide cases across the country is a source of great concern.
There is hardly a day that passes without one hearing or reading in the print media of a man or woman committing suicide. Teenagers are not spared either from this unfortunate situation.
What really causes someone to commit suicide? This question has been boggling the mind of many people including our national and the church leaders.
However, people commit suicide due to a number of reasons. It can be due to marital conflict among couples, pressure due to lack of finances, lack of employment prospects especially among young people.
Some people when overwhelmed with challenges, they think that the last resort or the only way out is to take their own lives. This should not be the case because there is no problem which is insurmountable. Every problem whether big or small can be resolved by seeking advice from others.
If truth be told, it is this one: every person is bound to face problems at one time or another regardless of one’s status whether poor or rich. Barely some few days ago, Mr. Dangerous Phiri, the former Chipata mayor was found dead in his car which was parked in the football ground in the early morning hours.
We understand that the cost of living is high in our country which has worsened poverty among the people.
The most hit are those who are neither in gainful employment nor in income generating ventures like business for instance. In the case of marital turbulence, among couples, there must be an amicable way of resolving the problem. This can include seeking counsel from the church.
Under any stress of imagination, it is unfortunate that many lives have been lost through suicide. Whatever problem the person may face, there is need to remain steadfast and look to God.
Through divine intervention in prayer and our total commitment, every problem can be resolved be it social, economic or psychological. All said and done, suicide cases have taken a toll in recent past and this is a source of concern. Proper solutions must be sought for whatever problem the person faces and suicide should not be the last resort.
ELEMIYA PHIRI,
Lusaka.
