…says No to male suicide
In commemoration of International Men’s Day, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has called on the male folks in the State to speak up when they experience any form of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi made the call recently at an event organised by the Agency, held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa, to commemorate the year 2023 International Men’s Day with the theme: “Zero Male Suicide”.
She stated that the Agency has curated an initiative tagged: “Break the silence, Don’t Take Your Life, Seek Help”, to discuss various issues that cause depression and other forms of abuse against Men.
While informing the participants of the available support services that the State Government had put in place to proactively address the issues of abuse, Vivour-Adeniyi said that International Men’s Day was another opportunity to create awareness about sexual and gender-based violence, while taking into cognizance the fact that men can also be victims and survivors of SGBV.
In his presentation, the Director of Special Projects, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Tolu Ajomale revealed that ”Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, adding that two out of three suicides are men on a worldwide basis. He said it is important to bring down the suicide rate for both males and females in society”.
According to him, suicide could occur at any age and is the fourth highest cause of death among 15-29 year-olds worldwide with over 703,000 individuals committing suicide every year and many more attempting to do so.
Noting that the goal of the programme was to improve men’s well-being and mental health, Ajomale urged men to recognise and effectively manage common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse as health is not just an absence of disease or infirmity but a complete state of physical, mental and social wellness.
Mr. Yakub Jubril, a Director, Ministry of Youths and Social Development, spoke on the evolving roles of men in society and harped on the need for a break from the norm and change of the behavioural mindset at different strata of society.
He also enjoined men not to hesitate to seek help when the need arises.
The DSVA Psychology team later conducted group therapy for the participants at the event.
One of the participants, Ayo Abayomi extolled the organisers of the event, stressing that the programme was an urgent response to the plight of many men who are suffering in silence across the State.