THE Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong has reiterated his support for the Suicide Prevention Bill presently under deliberation in the National Assembly.
The bill, which scaled its first reading in February, aims to remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide and create a structured system for suicide prevention and mental health care across Nigeria.
His renewed pledge was contained in a statement, issued by Taiwo Sheikh, convener of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Group and Continental Representative for Lifeline International.
The lawmaker gave this assurance while hosting members of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group in Abuja.
The delegation comprising psychiatrists, legal practitioners, mental health experts, civil society actors, and advocates visited him to commend his sponsorship of the legislation and to update him on activities planned ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that about 727,000 people worldwide die by suicide each year, with the act ranking as the third leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29.
During the courtesy call, Prof. Sheikh, who is also a former President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, highlighted that criminalising attempted suicide discourages victims from seeking help.
“When you criminalise attempted suicide, you stigmatise people who are already vulnerable. According to the WHO, Nigeria records about 16,000 suicide deaths annually, and that is a conservative figure because many cases go unreported. Most of the victims are young people, between the ages of 15 and 29. This is a crisis that must be urgently addressed,” Sheikh stated.
