WINDHOEK, July 29 — Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday expressed concern about the country’s rising suicide rate, calling on communities and civil servants to reflect and respond with greater compassion and vigilance.
Speaking at the official opening of the 15th Eenhana Expo in the Ohangwena Region, the president said the suicide rates “have become worrisome and very sad.”
“I cannot leave this podium without addressing an issue, which is giving me sleepless nights. I call on all residents of Ohangwena to do soul-searching and ask the big question:
What is happening in our society?” she said. Her remarks came days after the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture confirmed the deaths of three teachers in the region.
The ministry described the incidents as a tragic loss for the education sector and called for urgent action to address mental health, financial stress, and systemic challenges faced by teachers.
It announced plans to carry out a situational analysis, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund, to assess teacher well-being and identify risk factors within the education system.
Namibia grapples with a deepening mental health crisis. Official figures from the Ministry of Health and Social Services show that over 540 suicide deaths and more than 100,000 cases of mental health conditions were recorded nationally in the 2024/2025 financial year.
The scale of the crisis has prompted increased government attention, with calls for multi-sectoral collaboration and community-based responses to address the growing burden of psychological distress across the country. (Xinhua)
