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THE reported suicide of Harare woman Brenda Chinguwo who plunged to death at Trafalgar Court in Harare earlier this week should be a wake-up call for society’s thought leaders to advocating a rethink in how we approach domestic disputes.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy may never be fully public, it is undeniable that there is a bereaved family including an orphaned little girl who will forever be scarred by this sad event.
There are too many stories of suicide and murder within the family unit, however, one may define it.
Suicide, spouse killing partner, relative murdering relative, parent slaughtering child, the horror stories of people dying within the family unit have lost their shock value as they become common place.
While the reports of stranger killing stranger, commuter omnibus crews versus passenger scuffles over trifles ending in tragedy are awful enough, there is something distinctly wrong when the place that is supposed to be the centre of emotional, psychological and material nurturing and sustenance becomes a killing field.
Homicide including suicide should not be taken lightly as it is not an everyday act of a socially adjusted individual. In addition cases of child abuse and sexual crimes also seem to be on the increase.
Instead of becoming inured to heinous acts in the form of extreme violence against fellow human beings, we should be alarmed.
Whatever our religious affiliation or lack thereof, the law is perfectly clear. Murder is not acceptable. But there is more to the issue than choking up our legal system with such cases and filling up our jails with the convicted offenders.
There is obviously a deeper social problem that needs to be unpacked then solved.
One possible cause could be that mental illnesses in all their diversity are not really viewed with the gravity they deserve. There is great stigma and taboos attached to mental conditions which may lead many people into denial.
Depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis and mental breakdowns are just a few ills in the basket of mental diseases which we understand very little of. As a result many of us tend to become totally disempowered when faced with such problems.
Most never seek a medical diagnosis and possible cure because they are not aware that these conditions can be managed and at times even be cured through medications and or psychiatry.
Overwhelmed public health service delivery and personnel who constantly refer clients to prophets also discourage people from accessing the help that they need.
The Government through the responsible ministry needs to come up with a mental illness policy that will see the conditions main-streamed in all healthcare facilities to ensure effective diagnosis.
No one would envisage each little clinic having specialised personnel on hand, but the primary health care service providers should be able to make an initial diagnosis and refer people to the right places for the correct assistance.
Mental illness is a condition like any other medical challenge and it is high time we consider it as such.
With all the stresses of modern living compounded by social and economic challenges, none of us is immune from it and its devastating effects.
Online Reporter