Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-03-05 08:22:10
Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health are actively pursuing the repeal of Section 226 of the Penal Code, which mandates imprisonment for individuals attempting suicide. Chairperson Endebess MP Robert Pukose expressed his concerns during a meeting with officials from the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, highlighting the injustice of punishing mentally unwell individuals for their suicidal attempts. He argued that criminalizing suicide only worsens the suffering of vulnerable individuals and violates their fundamental human rights and dignity.
Pukose stressed the importance of recognizing suicide as a mental health issue rather than a criminal offense. He vowed to lead his committee in building consensus to repeal Section 226 of the penal code, advocating for a more compassionate approach that prioritizes support and assistance over punitive measures. Decriminalizing suicide, he argued, would enable better access to mental health services and suicide prevention initiatives, encouraging individuals to seek help without fear of legal repercussions.
Chief Executive Officer of the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Dr. Julius Ogato, supported the call to decriminalize suicide, highlighting the harmful impact of the current law on individuals with mental illness. He emphasized that suicide is often a manifestation of mental illness and should be treated with care and compassion, rather than imprisonment. Dr. Ogato called for reclassifying attempted suicide as a mental disease to combat the stigma associated with suicidal ideation and mental health issues.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), at least four people die by suicide each day in Kenya, with approximately 700,000 individuals worldwide dying by suicide annually. Factors such as traumatic experiences, stress, financial difficulties, a history of suicide in the family, alcoholism, and discrimination contribute to suicidal thoughts among Kenyans. The stigmatization of suicide and mental illness perpetuates harmful attitudes towards those in need of support and care.
Decriminalizing suicide would not only provide individuals with better access to mental health services and support but also help change societal perceptions surrounding mental health and suicide. By emphasizing the biological basis of suicidal thoughts and the need for compassionate intervention, policymakers and healthcare professionals can work towards reducing the prevalence of suicide and improving mental health outcomes in Kenya. The efforts of the National Assembly Committee on Health to repeal Section 226 of the Penal Code represent a crucial step towards addressing the mental health needs of the population and promoting a more empathetic and understanding approach to suicide prevention.
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