My Neighborhood Watch #98- Reporting Events Around us

Okpulumobo waterside bridge in Aba

A Young woman is Saved From Suicide Attempt in Aba River

INTRODUCTION

Suicide is that intentional act that a person takes to effect or cause his or her own death. Suicide did not just begin today as it has been happening over time before now. People tend to take their lives for various reasons that they feel they could not bear.

Life could be so hard to people that the only option they may choose to take, is to take their own lives. According to World Health Organization's (WHO) reports on global suicide rate, has it that over 700,000 people die yearly as a result of taking their own lives. This calls for more attention and efforts made to prevent suicide attempts.

Okpulumobo waterside bridge in Aba

ln an attempt to take her own life in a popular waterside at Okpulumobo Aba in Abia state, an unidentified young woman was saved by passersby. An eye witness sources reports that they saw the young lady who was slowly walking towards the river river as if she has swimming skills. After few minutes standing, she immediately threw herself into the river as she realized that people were beginning to suspect her intentions. As soon soon as she deeped herself into the river and could not make any attempt to swim, it became obvious to the passersby that the lady is on a suicide mission.

As she has gotten drowned into the river, People started shouting on their voices. This drew the attention of few men around the area who know how to swim. The men quickly dived into the river and started searching for her. Luckily, they found her still alive and pulled her out from the river safely.

Okpulumobo waterside bridge in Aba

Having been pulled out from the river, they pressed her down to make sure that the water in her body was gushed out immediately. She was then taken to the hospital for further treatment. But on a sad note, the hospital she was rushed to, refused to admit her to commence treatment. People frowned at this bad attitude coming from this hospital. They now quickly rushed her to another hospital and at this time, she was admitted and the doctors and nurses commenced treatment immediately.

What Could Have Led This Young Lady To Take Her Own Life?

This is a question ringing in the heart of everyone who was around the scene of the incident. People are really going through a lot of things in this life. Life is hard, difficult, painful, these are some few words that could describe what people are passing through I this life. But whatever negative experience that one may be passing through, does it justify the decision for one to take a way his or her own life?

There are several conditions that may make a person to take the decision of taking his or her own life. Some of these conditions or factors may be:

• Depression

• Aggression

• Chronic pains

• Abuse of substance

• Emotional abuse

• History of past suicide attempts

• Feeling of inadequacy

• Disappointment
  and many other factors that may contribute to suicide attempts.

Okpulumobo waterside bridge in Aba

Before one commits suicide, there may be some signs that may be displayed or noticed about the person's behavior or attitudes. Some of the signs according mental health experts, may include:

• Expression of feelings of no reason to live

• Constant or high intake of substances like drugs or alcohol

• Isolation from friends, families or loved ones

• The feeling of hopelessness

• Unprecedented loneliness

• Anxiety etc

How Can We Prevent Or Reduce Suicide Attempts In The Society

Okpulumobo waterside bridge in Aba

Although it is not entirely possible to stop suicide in the society, there certain actions we can take to prevent this rising ugly trend. These actions includes:

• Be observant about the mental health of the people around around you

• Create emergency lines and services to trace suicide attempts

• Understanding the factors or signs of suicide

• Be there for people who need to be helped and listened to

• Removing harmful objects such as guns, substances from aggressive persons

• Be watchful on how people express their emotions

• Help struggling persons to seek mental health services

CONCLUSION

People are going through tough times in their lives which others may not know. Who knows what this young lady has passed through to the point of wanting to take her own life? Loss of properties, broken relationships, disappointment and other painful experiences could be the reason one may think of taking their own lives.

We should pay attention and become more observant to how people around around us behave, that they may need us to support them. While we may not be able be able to notice the signs of suicide on time, showing people love and care or actions of kindness would help anyone with suicide thought to drop any of such intentions.

I invite the following persons to participate in this contest:

@binwaqas
@citysilver45
@hisgeneral