sociological perspective of the concept Depression and Suicide among the youths in Nigeria

In form of introduction, suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live, they are just unable to see alternative to their problems.

Depression from psychological perspective can be seen as a state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualise a happy future.

Suicide can be seen as intentional killing of oneself, as a kind of action or social phenomenon.

considering depression and suicide as a social problem in Nigeria, especially among the youths and with Nigeria being ranked the 5th country with the rate of Suicide in the world

Salient factors contributing to the increase in suicide will be highlighted hereto.

1.Depression is likely the major reason for suicide. People are depressed for various reasons ranging from loss of loved ones, marital, occupational, financial problems to frustration from things happening around.

1. The nation’s socio-economic environment is one of the factors that could lead to depression and possibly suicide. Societal expectations are getting higher by the day and the country’s economic environment contradicts these expectations.
2. Enormous emotional and financial stress as well as pervading poverty and hopelessness in the country is reason enough for some to commit suicide.
3. Unemployment crisis has created a lost generation of graduates who cannot find jobs with many of them are exasperated and sometimes bail on life.
4. The over-use of hard drugs like Indian hemp and cocaine are commonplace in the society and the adverse effects of these drugs can often time leads to suicide

Sociologists study how people get along together in society. They study culture, social institutions and they affect individuals. The sociology of depression encompasses the cultural context in which people live, as well as the social stressors that people encounter as a part of life. The sociological aspects of depression are both influenced by and also influence the other biological and psychological aspects of people’s lives.

Recent studies have alerted to rising cases of suicide among youths and provided more reasons why Nigerians should visit psychiatrists and psychologists more often. Indeed, several researches have identified poor mental health care especially treatment of depression and post traumatic stress disorder as leading causes of suicide among the young population.

How to reduce Suicide in Nigeria

Reducing access to means of suicide is one way to reduce deaths. Other effective measures include responsible reporting of suicide in the media, such as avoiding language that sensationalizes suicide and avoiding explicit description of methods used, and early identification and management of mental and substance use disorders in communities and by health workers in particular.

Follow-up care by health workers through regular contact, including by phone or home visits, for people who have attempted suicide, together with provision of community support, are essential, because people who have already attempted suicide are at the greatest risk of trying again.

“No matter where a country currently stands in suicide prevention”, said Dr Alexandra Fleischmann, Scientist in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO, “effective measures can be taken, even just starting at local level and on a small-scale.”

WHO recommends countries involve a range of government departments in developing a Comprehensive coordinated response. High-level commitment is needed not just within

the health sector, but also within education, employment, social welfare and judicial departments.

Conclusively

There are different things that lead to depression and mental health issues. As human being many things can happen to you and make you sad or happy. Cause of depression is perpetual stage of sadness; it is continues you no longer feel happy you are not excited about anything. It lingers so there are other symptoms, lack of interest, you avoid people, sleep disturbance, no self-confidence, lose interest in things they used to do. Sometimes they become paranoid they are controlled by fear. Nigeria’s mental health challenge should be treated as normal health issues and family support is also imperative in managing the scourge.

Say no to depression and suicide
Life is Sweet
There’s Hope for the living

Written by

Titus Augustine Omaojo a Sociology graduate from Kogi State University Anyigba

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