SUMMIT Care Trust, Community Based organization will tomorrow start a Suicide Prevention Campaign starting as a way of commemorating the Suicide Prevention month which falls in the month of September.
Health Reporter
The campaign will held under the theme “You Matter” and will be focusing on four areas which include Community Awareness, Health Awareness, Family Awareness and Education Awareness.
Tanatswa Chikaura, Summit Care Trust Mental Health Advocate, said the campaign was crucial as it seeks to open up awareness about suicide and find ways of preventing the cases from rising.
While Suicide Prevention should be an everyday topic, the month of September gives us an opportunity to dedicate time and have honest conversations about Mental Health. Suicide is often deemed a taboo topic, therefore we would like to raise awareness on the stigmatization surrounding it, as well as to spread important information that can help people affected with suicidal thoughts and those that have lost their loved ones to the scourge,” said Chikaura.
She added that the aim of the month-long Suicide Prevention Campaign is to ensure that Zimbabwean citizens have the important tool kit that will help them prevent suicide and seek help.
The Trust will broadcast conversations with various stakeholders on the risk factors of suicide, navigating mental health crisis, suicide prevention, bullying in educational institutions and role of sports, arts and culture in young people’s mental health.
They will also facilitate Focus Group Discussions in Harare South, as well as zoom workshops on Suicide Awareness and Prevention spreading the message that there is no shame in seeking help.
