By William Kazembe

Mental health organisation, Sorry I’m Not Sorry, has called for a nationwide mental health advocacy and awareness campaign targeting both rural and urban communities as part of efforts to reduce suicide cases in Malawi.

Speaking to Millennium Online Radio on Thursday, the organisation’s Deputy Country Director, Thokozile Kadango, said although mental health awareness campaigns have improved, many people still lack adequate knowledge on how to support and assist individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Kadango has therefore called for a national intervention aimed at educating communities about mental health and equipping them with knowledge on how to identify and support people showing signs of mental health problems.

" Such interventions should also focus on creating safe spaces and improving access to psychosocial support services," she added. 

Kadango has further criticised cultural norms that encourage men to remain strong and discourage them from showing vulnerability when facing mental health challenges.

She warns that such expectations can prevent men from seeking help and may contribute to suicide cases among men.

Her remarks come as the world observes Suicide Prevention Month throughout September, with stakeholders calling for increased efforts to promote mental health awareness and strengthen suicide prevention initiatives.

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