One in 5 suicide survivors re-attempt within a year, warns Luvindao
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has issued a sobering warning that between 16% and 20% of people who survive a suicide attempt will try again within a year’s time.Speaking at the commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” yesterday, Luvindao said the figures underscore the urgency of a crisis that has already claimed 112 Namibian lives – including four children – in just the first eight months of this year.
“These are not just numbers,” she said. “This is somebody’s parent, somebody’s child. Behind every statistic is a family in pain.”
Although Luvindao did not cite her sources, a 2011 study reported a reattempt rate ranging from 16% to 40% within one year, with about 2% of cases resulting in death. Another European follow-up study found 20.1% of first-time suicide attempters tried again within a year.
Survivors at risk
The minister warned that families often recognise the danger only after tragedy strikes. “Often, when we lose loved ones, we remember they had tried before,” she said. “The question is: what did we do about it?”
She urged Namibians to remain vigilant and to take every warning sign seriously. “Every single person around you should be on suicide watch,” she said. “The signs are there – someone becomes quieter, withdraws from WhatsApp groups, or suddenly pulls back at work. We must pay attention.”
Sharing her own struggles with anxiety during medical school, Luvindao emphasised that tackling stigma is key to prevention. She suggested introducing a “safe word” system to allow those in crisis to reach out discreetly. “I am a safe space,” she said, encouraging leaders and citizens to openly signal that they can be approached without fear or judgement.
She admitted government’s current efforts are falling short. “Yes, not enough is being done. We take responsibility for that,” she said. “Little awareness campaigns and posting on social media is not enough. There is so much more that needs to be done, and the system needs a complete overhaul.”
Among planned interventions are expanding mental health services in rural areas, strengthening the Lifeline/Childline hotlines, and making counselling available in local languages. “Sometimes people just need to say, ‘I need help’ in their mother tongue,” Luvindao noted.
Media’s duty
The minister also appealed to journalists to report responsibly. “You cannot report on suicide without providing help at the end of the article,” she cautioned. “How we report can either encourage despair or offer hope.”
Luvindao concluded with a call for community vigilance and compassion. “Sometimes it only takes one person saying, ‘I’ll sit with you until the sun rises,’” she said. “One attempt is not the end – but it is our duty to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Echoing her message, Helen Mouton, chairperson of the National Suicide Prevention and Treatment Action Group, stressed that suicide prevention must be community-driven.
“Our aim is to ensure that every region has a suicide prevention task force, just as we see in Khomas and Hardap where the structures are active,” she said. “We want to equip regional staff with the skills and resources to create safe spaces where anyone can knock on a door and find help – without waiting for a social worker or doctor.”
Mouton confirmed that Namibia has already developed its first national suicide prevention strategy and is now working with the World Health Organisation on a second. This will include a community toolkit and a first-aid kit for mental health to help ordinary citizens become “their brother’s keeper.”
“With the support of our NGOs, churches, communities and the media, we know that we will go far,” she said. “Our goal is nothing less than to eliminate suicide in Namibia.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline Namibia on 061 226 889 for confidential support.