Jackie Lumbasi, a co-host of the Big Breakfast Show on 91.3 Capital FM has raised concern over the accumulating suicide cases among Ugandans.
Through her article published by tri weekly newspaper The Observer, Lumbasi wonders if anyone is concerned about the people committing or attempting to commit suicide.
Her emotions were triggered following an interaction with a psychiatrist, Dr Caro Birungi, on Capital FM’s Big Breakfast show, where she learnt that Uganda ranks 17th amongst countries with high suicide cases worldwide.
“Uganda has about 45 psychiatrists – including the dead, non-practicing and those that left the country. There could be slightly over 20 practicing psychiatrists in Uganda,” She learnt, following Dr Caro Birungi’s comments on the matter.
Jackie says that with such alarming figures, we need each other to overcome suicide.
“In the past one month alone, there has been three cases uptown and downtown Kampala… Everywhere around us, there is someone struggling with their career, relationship, an illness, business or family. All they need is a listening ear.” She says, urging that there could be more that just didn’t make it to the press.
“There could be many others that never make it to the media. That is cause for concern! Are people tired of living; is family, as a unit, falling apart; is lack of a job reason enough to end one’s life; is the end of a relationship reason enough to kiss the world goodbye?” the UBC broadcast Journalist further states
Known for her deep strong and husky voice, the 37-year-old says because everyone is busy trying to earn a living, taking care of themselves, suicide victims feel ignored, isolated and lonely; that’s when hope is lost and suicidal thoughts are entertained.
“There are those that look for strangers because the people they call family do not pay attention to their needs. You have a sister or a brother that is in trouble, it could be at work or at home,”
“It is obvious to you because you can see they are not as happy as they used to be, he/she is losing weight, he/she suddenly prefers to spend time alone in a corner, you could have even chanced on him/her crying but you decided he/she capable of dealing with it. There are people that can deal with any situation personally but there are others that need joint efforts,” she says.
Jackie says the best thing you can do in such situations is care to know what is going on and encourage that person to talk.
She emphasizes that we can even share personal experiences that would make this person feel like what they think is a mountain of problems is actually nothing.
“I encourage people to talk, share the good, the bad and the ugly; find that one person in your circle that you can be very candid with and it will always leave you feeling better and ready to see the next day.”
Additionally warning about Social media glamour, yet with inner frustrations, Jackie concludes by saying that the family still plays a pivotal role in anyone’s life.
“Let’s not allow our family members to perish when we could have been of help; we should all be there for one another. Don’t allow anything to replace family,”
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Get intouch with Jackie – lumbasinake@gmail.com
