Africa-Press – Cape verde. Suicide is a global public health problem, as considered by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Cape Verde, health authorities estimate that between 45 and 50 people take their own lives each year. In 2022, more than 90% of victims were male, with a prevalence of adolescents and young people.
The situation is worrying, admits the National Director of Health, Ângela Gomes. “Cape Verde is, to a certain extent, concerned about this issue, considering that it represents the second leading cause of death from external causes”, she states.
Worldwide, more than 700 thousand people commit suicide each year. The number of victims exceeds the deaths caused by HIV, malaria, breast cancer, wars and homicides. Data from the United Nations agency indicate suicide as the fourth leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29. More than 70% of cases occur in low- or middle-income countries.
Psychiatrist Manuel Faustino, president of the Less Alcohol More Life Foundation, believes that the reality in the archipelago is worse than official data reveals.
“There is usually underreporting, for several reasons. It is assumed that for every person who commits suicide, there are twenty attempts. So, you have death itself and, for each of these, there are twenty more, more people, in terrible suffering”, he states.
The abusive consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances is directly related to cases of suicide among young people, according to international research. The president of the Less Alcohol More Life Foundation believes that these factors are ignored in Cape Verde.
“One of the factors that has clearly contributed to these situations, namely suicide, and to other bad things, is the abusive use of alcohol and other drugs. The realities clearly show this, but we ignore this factor”, he laments.
WHO data also indicate that suicide is often related to the prevalence of mental health problems. José António dos Reis, psychologist and president of the Mental Health Promotion Association “A Ponte”, is convinced that the situation in the country is not far from the international reality.
“Although there are no studies to support this statement, based on global statistics, I think that Cape Verde is most likely no exception to the rule”, he analyses.
Denise Lima, psychologist at the São Vicente Health Department, warns that it is essential to recognize the signs.
“For example, someone who starts to behave like a goodbye, giving away their most valuable or favorite possessions, or doing things that they did not do before. We must be attentive to all the signs that people give us, so that we can refer the case to a health professional as quickly as possible”, he says.
A clinical psychologist and university professor, Davidson William Lemos has treated patients with depression, some with suicidal thoughts.
“The intervention, as a psychologist, involves encouraging the individual to rethink their life, to learn to think correctly, because both depression and anxiety reside in the mind. So, when the individual learns to think correctly about themselves, about their value, their potential, and to create positive expectations about the future, this helps in the treatment of depression and, consequently, in the prevention of suicide”, he understands.
Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility. Sociologist Henrique Varela explains that everyone has a role to play.
“This role must be complementary. It starts with the family, which is the first social institution that the individual attends, then there is the school, the churches and the State. The State, in its role of prevention, can, for example, develop prevention campaigns in schools, with lectures and seminars on this issue. The State must operate on the basis of prevention and alert. Encourage these conversations. These are signs of public policies to prevent this issue”, he exemplifies.
José António dos Reis, from the “A Ponte” Association, advocates expanding the services available in the primary care network.
“Mental health care needs to be integrated into primary health care, on the same basis as care provided for other diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, among other pathologies. In primary care, the provision of this care is normal and mental health should be at the same level”, he advocates.
Cape Verde has a National Suicide Prevention Strategy, approved and socialized in 2024. The National Director of Health, Ângela Gomes, explains that the document outlines strategies for a multisectoral approach.
“It is a very complex problem, which can have several social aspects at its origin, which are not only related to mental disorders”, she highlights.
By 2026, and with the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, the World Health Organization intends to encourage action with the motto “Start the Conversation”.World Suicide Prevention Day will be celebrated on September 10th.
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