KUHLUKA MOVEMENT NEWSLETTER

Kuhluka

KUHLUKA MOVEMENT NEWSLETTER

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Oct 19, 2023

29 August 2023, meeting between Kuhluka team , pillars of support and Kim Samuel Foundation engaging in dialogue where greetings, information and knwoledge was shared.

Suicide Awareness Month

By Kuhluka Team

SUICIDE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.

SEPTEMBER IS CONSIDERED WORLDWIDE TO BE SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH. AS THE MONTH DRAWS TO A CLOSE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING THE TOPIC OF SUICIDE BECAUSE OF THE GENDER- BASED VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC, WITH WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND/OR IN TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS BEING CONSIDERED MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE. THIS MONTH ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF SUICIDE PREVENTION ACTIONS FOR ALL EXPECTANT MOTHERS, SO THAT THEY LAST THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND NOT JUST IN SEPTEMBER.

SUICIDE AND GBV

THIS YELLOW SEPTEMBER, SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH, GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS, REFLECT ON AND CONFRONT ISSUES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH, INCLUDING VICTIMS OF GBV, SINCE THIS PHENOMENON IS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, INCLUDING SUICIDE.

LITTLE IS SAID ABOUT THE FACT THAT VIOLENCE IS ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF THE COUNTLESS CASES OF SUICIDE IN THE WORLD, BUT RESEARCH AT NATIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVEL POINTS TO SUICIDE AND/OR ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AS ONE OF THE MOST WORRYING CONSEQUENCES OF GBV.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

THE FIGHT AGAINST SUICIDE AND GBV MUST BE JOINT . THE NUMEROUS RECORDED CASES OF SUICIDE AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE ARE ALARMING, AND DRAW ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO AMPLIFY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS, INCLUDING VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE; THIS ACTION SHOULD BE MULTISECTORAL, INCLUDING ACTIONS SUCH AS:

Early identification of people or vulnerable groups affected by suicidal behavior, in order to provide appropriate follow-up and/or referral;
Encouraging multisectoral collaboration to provide support to groups and people in vulnerable situations;
Identify providers and services available to those who need them;
Limit access to common means of suicide for victims of violence, offering appropriate support and follow-up.