Headlines of suicide reigned on the media the last few weeks.
A man shot and killed his wife and turned the gun on himself at the Parkview police station client service centre in the early hours of 6 January [read full story here https://www.citizen.co.za/northcliff-melville-times/189530/man-kills-wife-and-himself-at-police-station/].
Both victims were declared dead at the scene.
A man in his forties was found hanging from a tree on private land in Newlands on 7 January. It is believed he had been hanging there for three to four days [read full story here https://www.citizen.co.za/northcliff-melville-times/189626/alleged-trolley-man-found-hanging-from-a-tree/].
Why do people commit suicide?
LifeLine Social Auxialliary worker Busi Buthelezi said most common causes of suicide in South Africa are attributed to alcoholism, mental disorder, personal relations, unemployment, homelessness, depression and psychosis are some of the leading causes in South Africa.
“Males are most likely to commit suicide especially those aged between 15 and 29.
When people kill themselves, they use various methods, but mostly hanging, shooting and making use of pesticides.”
According to Buthelezi, those who shoot themselves are commonly “professional people or those with access to firearms such as police”.
Buthelezi added that men over the age of 45 and who fall unde the upper middle class are more prone to shoot themselves.
Despite popular belief that the holiday season has the highest number of suicide victims, Buthelezi is of the opinion this is not the case.
“I think people kill themselves more after the holidays when they settle down and they find they have nothing to do or a way to make a living,” she said.
Signs someone might commit suicide, according to Buthelezi, are:
- Isolation
- Over indulgence in alcohol
- Drug abuse
- Overspending even buying things one cannot afford
When you fear you or someone you know is at risk of committing suicide, you must reduce access to firearms and avoid drugs and alcohol.
“For teenagers and young adults, a good role model may help one see that there is more to life and a case of suicide can be avoided.”
For more assistance, like the LifeLine Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LifeLine.Johannesburg
Brixton Police station has a Victim Empowerment Centre were residents can also receive help.
Details: LifeLine 011 728 1331.
