Suicide is a psychiatric emergency

Madam,

There is something heartbreaking about attending a funeral and hearing people whisper: “We never knew they were suffering.” Sometimes we discover a person’s pain only after their chair at home is empty, their phone never rings again, and their voice becomes a memory. As an ordinary citizen of Eswatini, that thought breaks my heart. How many people around us are fighting silent battles while we greet them, laugh with them and simply assume they are okay? September, therefore, gives me a reason to pause and look beyond the celebrations, routines and ordinary pressures of everyday life, because this is also a month in which the world places greater emphasis on suicide awareness and prevention. For me, this should not be treated as another awareness campaign that comes and goes with the calendar. It should be a deeply human moment for us as emaSwati to cogitate.  It must remind us that suicide is a psychiatric emergency and that behind every crisis is a human being whose life may still be saved. Before we mourn, let us listen. Listening today can mean preventing a funeral tomorrow. Let us notice.

We must confront the painful stigma surrounding mental health struggles in our communities. Too often, someone who admits feeling overwhelmed is told to be strong, stop overthinking, pray harder or remember that others have bigger problems. Faith, family and community are valuable, but they must never become excuses for dismissing serious psychological distress or delaying professional care. We must stop calling suffering weakness or attention-seeking. A person in crisis needs compassion, safety, understanding and appropriate assistance. As emaSwati, we should learn to ask: ‘How are you really?’ More importantly, we must remain present, listen without judgement and take their words seriously.

Our young people and men deserve particular attention.

Uncertainty

Many emaSwati face unemployment, academic pressure, financial difficulties, relationship problems, bullying, loneliness and uncertainty about tomorrow. Meanwhile, many boys grow into men believing that crying, vulnerability or asking for help makes them weak. We must challenge this mentality. A man can be strong and still struggle. A young person can smile while suffering inside. Families, schools, churches, workplaces and friends must notice changes in behaviour and respond with compassion. When someone expresses suicidal thoughts, we must never laugh, dismiss or shame them. Taking them seriously could become the beginning of receiving lifesaving support.

We must also ask whether Eswatini is adequately prepared to respond when someone experiences a suicidal crisis. It is easy to tell people to seek help, but do families know where to turn? Do schools have real support systems? Do workplaces recognise psychiatric emergencies? Can people access mental-health services without shame or judgement? Suicide prevention requires education, accessible professional care, responsible crisis intervention and follow-up support. Our media must report suicide responsibly, without sensationalism or details. Every death leaves grieving families and communities. We should not wait for funerals before deciding that mental health deserves attention, investment, compassion and action.

As we raise awareness of suicide this month, my plea to emaSwati is simple: Let us care for people before we are forced to mourn them. Let us check on those who have become, listen to those who are struggling, and take suicidal thoughts seriously. We do not need to be psychiatrists to show compassion, but we must recognise when professional assistance is necessary. If someone is in immediate danger, seek help without delay. Let September become more than awareness; let it become action. Suicide is a psychiatric emergency, but a crisis does not have to become a chapter. Listening can save a life.

Mbuyiselo S Sikhondze