Youth and elderly among 110 suicide cases from Jan to Aug this year

Suicides has been a growing concern in the country, with the National Committee on the Prevention of Suicide reporting that from January to August this year, Fiji recorded a total of 110 suicide cases, out of which 63 were completed suicide cases and 47 attempted suicide cases.

While revealing this during his Ministerial Statement in Parliament, Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says this has been a growing concern especially amongst our youth and vulnerable populations, with risk factors including mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, social determinants like unemployment, family violence and substance abuse, and limited access to mental health care in rural and remote areas.

He says suicide leaves deep emotional and social scars on families and communities.

Dr Lalabalavu says a total of 13 youths whose ages range from 18 to 24 years committed suicide while 11 youths attempted suicide during the first eight months of this year.

He adds that the reports also state that our elderly population, 60 years and above, has not been left out in this critical public health issue as 11 of them have committed suicide and five attempted suicide.

The Minister says the report also highlights that Fijians of Indian descent recorded the highest number, with 41 committed suicide and 33 attempted suicide cases.

He says iTaukei recorded 21 suicide cases and 13 attempted suicide cases.

He adds the report also indicates that males account for 70 percent of all cases.

Dr Lalabalavu says the Western Division continues to record the most number, with 32 suicide cases and 30 attempted suicide cases.

He says the Southern Division shows a drastic decline of cases, with 8 suicide cases and 2 attempted suicide cases.

The Minister stressed that World Suicide Prevention Day’s theme about changing the narrative on suicide means that we need to transform how we perceive this complex issue and shift from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.

While responding to the statement, Opposition MP Virendra Lal says Fiji has one of the world's highest suicide rates and we are losing our young people, especially those aged 18 to 24.

He says while the National Committee on the Prevention of Suicide is doing good work, the numbers show that the current strategies are not working.

Lal says suicide is not just a Ministry for Health issue but a national one.

The Opposition MP says with the cost of living extremely high, the constant struggle for money is destroying hope, and this drives our citizens, especially the youth, to despair and suicide.

He says the government's economic policy has a direct human cost, and they are missing the mark on who is suffering most.

The Opposition MP is calling on the government to explain why there isn't a major national campaign dedicated to helping men talk about their struggles and why most of the services are concentrated in cities.

He highlighted that the main cause of suicide is not illness, as the problem also lies with relationships and family conflicts.

He also called on parents not to put too much pressure on their children if they do not do so well in their exams.

He adds we must invest in healing the family to heal the nation.