Government commits to upscale suicide prevention

Government has reiterated its commitment to up scaling efforts aimed at preventing suicide incidents. North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Grandson Katambi, said government aims to provide improved health scale, top among the list is prevention and management of suicide…

Government has reiterated its commitment to up scaling efforts aimed at preventing suicide incidents.

North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Grandson Katambi, said government aims to provide improved health scale, top among the list is prevention and management of suicide cases.

Colonel Katambi stated that mental health issues should not only be discussed when there is a crisis, adding that systems must be strengthened for identification, support and prevention.

He said this at the commemoration of world Suicide Prevention day in Solwezi today.

He revealed that suicide still remains a concern, with the latest World Health Organisation’s latest estimates indicating that 1,397 people died by suicide in Zambia in 2021.

He noted that the figures call for concerted efforts to prevent the vice.

Meanwhile, North-western Province Health Director, Luckson Chidikita, said suicide is affecting not only communities but the health workers fraternity as well.

He said there is need for delivery decisions among stakeholders in dealing with suicide.

The World Suicide Prevention day also marked the launch of the 30 days of mental health awareness, which will culminate into the official mental health day commemoration on 10th October 2026.