Integritus Prime

Two days ago I went to a meeting where professionals gathered as concerned citizens to discuss what can be done about suicide in Fiji. As I learned in the meeting, and later looked up in more detail, we’ve had 70 suicides (55 males, 15 females) and an additional 80 attempts (43 males, 37 females) in 2018 so far.

Sashi Kiran, the CEO of FRIEND, whom I interviewed last week, called this meeting. As part of our action items, we decided to create a social media page for the group to create awareness, use the Mornings with Marilyn platform to bring more attention to this burgeoning problem, adopt the hashtag #isurvive for social media, continue working on the petition and policy on suicide, create more helplines, and to explore avenues such as sports for developing suicide prevention champions.

At the meeting, I met the former Minister for Health and medical doctor, Dr. Neil Sharma, who has both personal and professional interest in suicide. I offered to interview him on Mornings with Marilyn and on this blog, and he accepted. Here’s what he had to say about suicide from his perspective as a husband and doctor…

 

Marilyn: We attended a meeting a couple of days ago about suicide. Could you explain what the situation is in Fiji currently?

Dr. Sharma: In Fiji, there have been 4 attempted suicides a week and unfortunately 2 completed ones each week this year. The rates of youth or juvenile ones are also increasing dramatically. It is becoming across the board with Native i-Taukei also now making attempts to ridding themselves of modern day lifestyle stress – a young Fijian I-taukei child was the most recent calamity a week ago.

The over 60-year-old population will double by 2025; 7% to 14% as calculated by World Health Organization (WHO) statistics. Older individuals living in isolation, facing loneliness, with or without medical histories are also demonstrating increased rates.

Fiji Indians have already had a very high rate since the Girmit era when males committed suicide within six months of arrival on Fijian shores. The rate of suicide was very high in Fiji during the Indentured period, 1879-1920. The Fiji rates were higher than all the British colonies (14 of them) and higher than the rates in the State of Origin in India, at that time. Fiji Indian women have a very high rate especially the ones in rural areas due to  patriarchy, male domination, isolation and the stress of daily life.

Global statistics on suicide were released last year and the situation is cause for great concern. World leaders have incorporated suicide strategies to be addressed in The Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDG) Agenda  2015-2030 and specially Targets 3-4 on measures to address Suicide prevention at State or Government level to address IN ALL 194 States of the UN/WHO member states.

 

Marilyn: Why did you get involved in this cause? 

Dr. Sharma: At a professional level I see great misery in the affected persons. “Co-morbid” (related) considerations and conditions such as persons affected by anxiety and quality of life issues, and national productivity is also affected. This adversely affects the Human Rights for every one. The Level of diagnosis, service delivery and outcomes have been very poor and health financing most inappropriate in this areas of human development.

Personally, I lost my wife just under a year ago and there are so many unanswered questions with her loss in my life and that of my adult children and their families. Premature loss, pain and sadness remain overbearing and that pain does not leave us. It appears time will not heal the scars but we try to press on. We do not want any other family to go through what we are going through.

 

Marilyn: I am truly sorry for your loss. What is already being done? I understand there are several groups working on this issue like Youth Champs, but what about this citizen’s movement?

The nucleus of a Citizens Group has been formed. An online petition is being prepared and submissions to Health Ministry and Government is being asked to consider banning the  herbicide, Paraquat.

The longer-term aim is to support the work in the area of public awareness, prevention, diagnosis of co-morbidities like anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, which can contribute towards suicidal attempts.

 

Marilyn: What is needed?

Community awareness, active NGO groups at local level, public dialogue, government support, legislation, enforcement and ban the use of herbicides to save lives.

 

Marilyn: Is this a political issue? Why?

Everything is political in Life. Laws, regulations and public discipline are all controlled politically. It is a vested interest that society be healthy, nationally productive and value life.

 

Marilyn: What can ordinary citizens of Fiji to do to help?

Look at themselves and see the real need to support each other. Equality and human equity is in question. In this fast, self-centered world, someone has to stand up and say that life is a gift. Help those in need. Support the cause, ask the change they need with incoming leadership as to their stance on this issue. Compassion and empathy cannot be bought, it has to be experienced, so let’s cultivate that in ourselves.

Stigma needs special attention. Understand that the brain is wired differently in each of our cases of mental ill-health. Counseling and support should not only be remote.

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Underlying many of these issues are very basic human needs, like the need for social connection and belonging. As Dr.Sharma mentioned, in a technology-fixated and busy world, we are losing sight of what really matters. Human relationships need to be nurtured and cherished. I speak about the importance of family time in a local radio segment next week – stay tuned for that. Thanks to Dr. Sharma for engaging with me on this very important topic, and stay tuned for the launch of our citizen group.

If you liked what you read and would like to know more about preventive approaches, contact me.