Africa-Press – Namibia. People no longer open up about their struggles because of gossip, judgment and the stigma that surrounds mental health.
This concern came out strongly during the suicide prevention awareness campaign last week in Ongwediva, Oshana region.
Victoria Hauwanga, a social worker in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, said the suicide and mental health situation in Oshana is alarming.
The latest statistics for the previous quarter, from July to September 2025, recorded 16 cases of suicide ideation and 49 attempted suicides.
“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” he cautioned.
He urged communities to offer support rather than judgment.
She emphasised that the fear of gossip often prevents people from seeking help, even when they desperately need it.
Oshana regional police Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria said suicide has become one of the country’s leading public health challenges.
According to the statistics released by the ministry, 542 lives were lost to suicide between January 2023 and December 2024, making Namibia the country with the highest suicide rate in Africa.
He added that between January and August 2025, Namibia recorded another 112 suicide deaths, a number that continues to rise.
“Various researchers have attributed suicide to financial struggles, unemployment and mental health issues,” Sakaria noted.
He stressed that suicide prevention cannot be left to the government alone.
“It is a collective responsibility. We must remain attentive to early signs of distress among our loved ones and act before it is too late,” he said.
A survivor’s story
Among those who attended the event was Maria Shivute, a 27-year-old woman from Oshakati who once attempted to take her own life after losing her job and falling into debt.
“I felt like my life had no meaning. The whispers and gossip made things worse. Instead of helping, people judged me,” she shared.
She survived when her younger sister intervened and called for help.
Through counselling offered by the Oshana Mental Health Unit, she recovered and now volunteers as a peer supporter for others facing similar struggles.
“Speaking up saved me. That’s why I encourage others not to keep silent. The lungus can destroy, but understanding and kindness can heal,” she said.
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