The World Health Organisation conceptualises mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual recognises his/her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution towards his/her community.
In recent years, the issue of mental health has gone from being a taboo subject to one which is now mainstream and discussed openly, as mental health is recognised as a basic human right, crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.
2022 sees increase in suicides in Seychelles
Despite the strides made in terms of mental health domestically, suicides rates among Seychelles’ small population remain alarming. Numerous studies have shown an undeniable link between the existence of mental illness and individuals attempting or committing suicide. Suicide is a major health problem and the global suicide mortality rate in 2018 amounted to 1.4 per cent of all deaths worldwide (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2018).
According to statistics of the Seychelles police, the incidents of suicide were alarmingly higher this year as compared to previous years. Nine suicides were recorded throughout the year 2022, with the cause of death being hanging in all nine cases. As has been the case for the past five years, more males have ended their lives than female counterparts, with five males this year, as compared to four females.
In 2021, the police recorded a total of five suicides, four males and one female, with two incidents of pill overdoses, and three hangings. Despite lockdowns and the economic downturn resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic which was at its peak in 2020, three suicides were recorded throughout the year, although all three instances were males, two of whom died by hanging themselves, while the other jumped in front of a bus.
The two years prior to 2020 also saw a high number of suicides, with four hangings and one person committing suicide by poisoning in each of the two years. All six suicides committed in 2018 were by males, one of who overdosed on pills, while in 2019 four males claimed their own lives, in addition to one female.
World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 703,000 people a year take their life around the world, and for every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt. In conjunction with the International Association for Suicide Prevention, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and raise awareness among government, the public and organisations, that suicide can be prevented.
More seeking access to mental health services
Senior medical officer with the Ministry of Health Valerie Bijoux in October, during a Topik Konversasyon programme noted an increase in mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety locally and on a global scale, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic, where people have remained isolated, suffered from physical illness, and the death of loved ones.
“We are observing an increase in the volume of people who are accessing our service, and the issue is that the number of us who are working as compared to those seeking the service, there is a gap. It has been a bit of a challenge recently to keep up with the number of people who are trying to access the service, although we are trying our best,” Dr Bijoux noted.
The Ministry of Health also offers a walk-in service for those requiring urgent assistance.
Local sports coaches learn from mental coach
A number of local coaches had the opportunity to learn about the various aspects of mental coaching for high level athletes from mental coach Bernard Payet, who has worked with professional athletes the world over.
The session was held in May following Mr Payet’s meet with the principal secretary for youth and sport Ralph Jean-Louis, and focused on the psycho-education model to develop the mental and psychological aspects of performance management.
Ministry of Health’s new strategic plan commits to improving mental health
The health ministry’s strategic plan 2022-2026 commits to improving mental health services, through the implementation of the national mental health policy. A number of objectives are listed under strategic directive 4, promoting healthy populations, including the promotion of good mental health, a challenge for the health services, but imperative to the growth and prosperity of the country.
Post-secondary students learn about mental health
Post-secondary school students learned more about mental health through a half-day session organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) in August.
Facilitated by Brigitte Gbilimou, clinical psychologist from the mental health services within the Ministry of Health, the session aimed to provide the youths with a platform to talk about mental health, considering the many youths with low self-esteem, depression, anxieties, self-harming and self body image issues which the organisation’s counsellors come across.
Seychelles’ Miss Universe nominee advocates for mental health
Gabriella Gonthier who is currently in Washington DC, USA for the final preparations for the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, USA, hosted a football tournament on December 4 at the mini-stadium Victoria, as part of her project for the pageant.
Miss Gonthier, 24, organised the event and called on local teams to come forward in support of those suffering from mental issues, as part of her ‘Semicolon’ project. She is an ardent advocate for suicide prevention, after losing her best friend and godfather through suicide some years ago.
“These painful experiences really had an impact on my life and I want to be there for those suffering with same and who suffer in silence,” said Ms Gonthier.
Laura Pillay
The SYNC organised its first mental health awareness session on account of the number of youths with mental health problems
