Why do we Lose Friends and Love Ones to Suicide? Understanding Suicide Victims & Tendancies

During the last Kenyan Public Holiday that was June 1 2019, the President of Republic of Kenya (PORK) in his speech talked of Mental illness as being of growing concern in Kenya. This is due to the rising cases of Kenyan citizens that the country losing to suicide lately. I tend to think that Kenya has been losing citizens in the past only that now all media stations seem to be putting in the news updates of the latest suicide victim . The reported cases of suicide know no age nor gender they have cut across board. Those that have left suicide notes have given reasons like losing a football match, academic frustrations and even marriage and loss of finances. What do those that are left to bury  or cremate a victim of suicide say?

Most persons that are left behind say the victim was foolish and at times weak and selfish. How true is this view? Allow me to take you through the journey of a suicidal person before they result into actualising the act. But first let me demystify a suicidal person. This person isn't selfish, if anything they are kind to the persons around them because they find the need to eliminate the bad person which in this case is themselves. They are not weak, they are actually persons that have been strong for so long and don't understand why during the moment of crisis they can't put things together. Now let us understand who a person who commits suicide is.

This is a person who is sick but unfortunately seeks the wrong cure. Sometimes this is a person who sick and when they present the sickness to the person they consider the right doctor doesn't give them the right prescription or dismisses their sickness or just doesn't understand their illness. Let us break down this definition further through an experience from someone very close to me who I happen to know inside out. Lets just say there is no tearing us part, we are like clones of each other or what others refer as identical twins. I shall however not reveal their identity or gender and shall refer to them as "My Twin"

 My twin was at their end point and nothing seemed to make sense. As we interacted they made me realise that they had been so strong for a long time and it broke them that they could not help themselves. In the eyes of people, their life was perfect. They were the centre of perfect example for their peers. In matters faith and academic qualifications, they were on top of it. Talk of physical appearance, they got it all. They were those persons that turn faces as on lookers can't help but wow at the creation they were. When it came to family, their loved ones believed in them. It broke my twin further looking at their family because they couldn't move or make sense over their life. My twin was at a point of too much confusion. They didn't know what to do anymore to make things better and it frustrated them further hence the reason for suicidal thoughts. To them, it actually made sense because their life had lost meaning, purpose and direction. They thought themselves as a  serious let down to themselves, their loved ones and the society in general. 

One thing I must applaud my twin for is that they felt there was a bigger vision. To them, there was a reason why the devil was fighting them by invading their mind. Like me my twin is a Christian and of Catholic so they visioned themselves through the life of persons in the Bible who experienced turmoil and God uplifted them and even the life of Saints. My twin therefore decided to find the right medicine for what it was that ailed them. The first place they went to was the hospital. Here they met a doctor who diagnosed them with severe depression. They were put on antidepressants. My twin wasn't shocked because in the midst of seeking out a suicide option that would lead to a natural death they got to learn about depression and use of antidepressants. The antidepressants were to restore serotonin levels.

Thank you for reading this far . I however ask that you look out for Part 2 of this article as it could end up being too long. You can be sure I shall finish this article and it shall be published on this blog. So keep looking out for part 2.