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Staff Reporter A TOTAL of 1,474 Namibians have lost their lives to suicide in the country, the youngest victim being a five-year-old. Reporting of individual cases, especially those concerning celebrity suicides, is said to increase the risk of suicide by 13% in communities — a phenomenon known as the “contagion effect.” This was revealed at a workshop held by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), titled “Media Dialogue on Reporting on Suicide in Namibia,” which sought to equip journalists and editors with skills for responsible reporting on suicide. The event was attended by Helen Mouton, Acting Director of Social Welfare at the health ministry; Dr. Sadrag Shihomeka, the Media Ombudsman; while Dr. Chido Rwafa Madzvamutse, Regional Advisor for Mental Health and WHO Regional Officer for Africa, also graced the event via Zoom. SUICIDE PREVENTION: Acting Director of Social Welfare at the health ministry, Helen Mouton. Photo: NBC Digital News Speaking at the event, Mouton gave a brief overview of the statistics and said that in the 2022–23 financial year, a total of 457 lives were lost; in 2023–24, a total of 542; and in 2024–25, a total of 475 suicide deaths were reported. “The factors that contribute to suicide and its prevention are complex and not fully understood. However, there is overwhelming and ever-increasing evidence that the media can play a significant role in either enhancing suicide prevention efforts or weakening them. The media may provide useful educational information about suicide or may spread misinformation, perpetuate myths about it, or unintentionally stimulate thoughts and ideas. Sometimes our intentions may be pure and good, but the effects of it may be dire,” Mouton said. She further noted that vulnerable persons (such as those with a history of suicide attempts or thoughts, or those exposed to suicide) are at an increased risk of engaging in imitative behaviours following media reports of suicide — particularly if the coverage is extensive, prominent, sensational, explicitly describes the method of suicide, makes suicide appear to be normal, or perpetuates widely held myths about suicide. Also speaking at the event, the Media Ombudsman, who is responsible for overseeing complaints filed against the media in the country, encouraged journalists to do self-reflection on what impact or harm their reports may have on an individual or society, urging self-regulation. “A damaged reputation is as good as a car which has been written off after an accident,” Dr. Shihomeka said.
