Why teenager may attempt to take own life

What would make a teenage student attempt suicide?

Mrs Lydia Ngwiri, a counselling psychologist and teacher at Kiambu High School, said there are varied reasons that would push a student to take such a drastic action.

These include neglect by parents, violence at home, sexual abuse or if he or she is being bullied at school.

“A child who grows up witnessing violence at home feels insecure and resentful towards the parents, since he or she cannot look up to them.

"This breeds anger and frustration that may trigger suicidal thoughts,” Mrs Ngwiri said.

THERAPY
If the child however gets timely help from an expert such as a counsellor, who can detect signs of psychological distress, it is possible to arrest any tragic occurrence.

“Other reasons include drug abuse and difficult life situations such as poverty, which causes low self-esteem.

"Those aged between 15 and 25 are more likely to attempt suicide,” Mrs Ngwiri, who has been a high school teacher for 30 years and a professional counsellor for 16 years, said.

MENTAL HEALTH

While school fires and unrest are often attributed to indiscipline and poor upbringing among students, mental health, an equally likely cause, is often overlooked.

Experts say general health programmes have not adequately responded to the significant rise in the number of mental health issues among patients.

Prof David Ndetei, who specialises in psychiatry at the University of Nairobi, supports this view.

He said the relevant agencies take long to implement recommendations made by researchers, which hurts intervention of this condition.