Parliament has expressed concern over the growing number of suicide cases being reported in various parts of the country, with government committing to strengthen mental health support and community interventions.
The concerns were raised on Friday after Mzimba West Member of Parliament Aeckim Kumwenda informed the House that four people in his constituency had died by suicide within 48 hours, describing the situation as an urgent national crisis.
Raising the matter under Standing Order 14 during question time, Kumwenda said his constituency has recorded about 22 suicide cases since January, a trend he described as unprecedented and deeply worrying.
“It is really an urgent matter of national importance. For instance, in my constituency we lost four lives in a space of 48 hours, and that is unprecedented. I have heard about suicide cases, but not at that rate,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the government, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha acknowledged that suicide has become a significant public health concern, particularly among men.
Navicha said harmful social norms often discourage men from speaking openly about emotional and personal challenges, leaving many to struggle in silence.
She urged people experiencing emotional distress or other difficulties to seek support from family members, friends, traditional leaders, health workers and social welfare officers available in their communities.
“Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. People can also turn to village chiefs as well as doctors and nurses at local health centres to seek help. Isolating oneself and struggling silently is not a solution,” she said.
Kumwenda told Parliament that many of the reported suicide cases in his constituency appear to be linked to economic hardship, domestic conflicts and other social pressures.
He cited the case of a young man from Erunyeni who allegedly killed his wife before taking his own life following a domestic dispute.
The legislator also recounted the case of a tobacco farmer who died by suicide after elephants destroyed his vegetable crops, leaving him unable to recover financially and pay his workers. According to Kumwenda, the farmer’s mother later also died by suicide following the tragedy.
He said his decision to raise the matter in Parliament was aimed at mobilising support from the Ministry of Gender and other relevant institutions to strengthen mental health services and address the underlying causes contributing to the increasing number of suicide cases.
“This pretty much maybe explains some of the cases, but when I get support from the Ministry and other well-wishers, I hope we can get to the bottom,” he said.
Government says it will continue working with communities and relevant stakeholders to promote mental health awareness, encourage help-seeking behaviour and strengthen support systems for vulnerable individuals.
