On Monday 6th June 2022, Kyambogo University launched an anti suicide campaign that was to run for three days under the theme, “Hope Never Runs Dry.”
Very many activities such as depression screening, HIV testing, guidance and counseling and blood donation were done in the three-day campaign that was crowned by the Public lecture that took place on Wednesday 8th June 2022.
The event was hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Eli Katunguka.
Dr. Ruth Senyonyi was the keynote speaker, Mrs Victoria Bagaya the moderator, Rev. Eng. Dr Emmanuel Mwesigwa and Mr. James Mugisha the discussants.
The Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng who should have been the chief guest did not attend the event.
The discussion was majorly about the causes of suicide among people especially students following two suicide cases registered by Kyambogo University in 2021 and one alumnus who committed suicide earlier this year because he could not find employment, having graduated in 2019.
Some of the causes of suicide that were explored during the entire interaction include psychological and emotional torture felt by the students who don’t seek counseling or get emotional help, academic failure, loss of a beloved one, relationship problems or break ups, sexual orientation of an individual especially if one is a homosexual since it’s not socially acceptable in Uganda, suffering and some others commit suicide in order to prevent themselves from becoming a burden to others.
One student of Social Works and Social Administration said that cyber bullying by the media also causes emotional torture that might easily drive one to commit suicide.
Prof. Eli Katunguka applauded the guidance and counseling unit for organizing the suicide campaign as the first measure of curbing suicide acts among people by creating awareness.
“I am glad the guidance and counseling unit organized this Public lecture. This is what all universities should be doing; creating suicide awareness and restoring hope among students,” he said.
He quoted a Runyankore song whose message was that after very difficult and miserable times comes a period of peace, something he said to encourage students to be hopeful in all situations.
Dr. Ruth Senyonyi’s speech entailed the measures that should be put in place in order to restore the hope of the people that attempt suicide.
Emphasis was on creating awareness and mental health literacy since most of the people that commit suicide have mental health disorders.
“Depression rates in this country are overwhelmingly high. Suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged between fifteen and twenty nine according to a 2019 report. But suicide is preventable,” she said in her quite emotional and inspiring address.
“Hope is a passion for the possible, hope is being able to see that light despite the darkness. In all things, it is better to hope than to despair. You can restore hope to a struggling person. Diffuse suicide attempts. We are supposed to give hope to people and not discourage them. Make mental health a national priority,” she added.
The first president of the Uganda Counseling association and President of Mother’s Union said.
“Jeremiah 30:17 says, And I will restore you to health and heal all your wounds. Be hopeful. Hope Never runs dry. Whenever you think about suicide, just know there is something else you can do other than suicide,” Rev. Eng. Dr. Emmanuel as he reminded everyone of the ten commandments of God;
“Thou shall not murder” and further explained that no one has a right to take their own life. He too, resounded that optimism is a key ingredient to good mental health.
“The end of the rope is not the end of hope” he urged the audience which comprised of students to hold on to hope.
“Suicide is a cry of pain. It comes as a result of mental disorder. Therefore we need to pay attention to mental health and address mental health problems. Talk to family and friends when you are overwhelmed by life, seek counseling and when you are not thinking of suicide, check on your friends because they might be contemplating it. Help them out,” Mr. James Mugisha, one of the discussants stressed.
The anti suicide Public lecture offered a great opportunity for students to learn about suicide, its causes and harmful impact and what can be done to mitigate and wipe it out of the community completely.
The organizers of the event; Kyambogo Guidance and counseling Unit, LEM Uganda and strong minds Uganda thanked the students for turning up for the lecture and other activities of the campaign in large numbers as their efforts did not go to waste.
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