Iran Press/Africa: According to a Deutsche Welle (DW) report, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared several African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and many other African countries are currently struggling with high rates of suicide. Suicie figures are even higher than in most European countries, with more than 15 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants per year.
Megan Vaughan, professor of African History and Health at University College London, shares the view that depression and suicide are often still taboo topics in Africa. However, she says that the recognition of depression as an illness is growing there.
She says that an example of this is in South Africa, where the HIV crisis brought the issue of mental health more into the public focus, and professional psychological counseling services are no longer a rarity.
Vaughan also believes that social upheaval is a reason for the high suicide rates: "Life is changing fast — in Africa as well. Urbanization is increasing at a rapid pace. People no longer live in village structures and family ties," though she adds that she believes this explanation alone to be too simplistic.
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