Mporokoso Town Council Chairperson Daniel Lushinga has expressed concern over the rising number of suicide cases among young people in the district. Mr Lushinga says it is worrying that despite youths making up a significant proportion of Zambia’s population, many are…

Mporokoso Town Council Chairperson Daniel Lushinga has expressed concern over the rising number of suicide cases among young people in the district.

Mr Lushinga says it is worrying that despite youths making up a significant proportion of Zambia’s population, many are increasingly resorting to taking their own lives.

He has cited drug and substance abuse, among other factors, as contributing to the growing cases of suicide.

“I am saddened by the high number of youths committing suicide in our district. A week does not go by without hearing reports of young people taking their own lives,” he said.

Mr Lushinga told media in Mporokoso that suicide should never be considered a solution to life’s challenges, regardless of how difficult or unbearable a situation may seem.

He has urged young people to engage in productive ventures such as farming and to take advantage of skills training bursaries under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to improve their livelihoods.

“I want to appeal to our youths to consider farming. I know some may raise concerns about the cost of fertiliser, but there are crops such as pineapples that do not require fertiliser, which they can venture into to improve their livelihoods,” he said.

Mr Lushinga has further cautioned youths against engaging in betting and drug and substance abuse, saying such activities do not provide solutions to the mental health challenges they may be facing.

He has called for concerted efforts from various stakeholders, including the Church, in addressing the growing cases of suicide in the district.

The Council Chairperson has also appealed to organisations working in mental health and drug abuse prevention to consider establishing a presence in Mporokoso to provide support and help address the situation.