Some years ago, there was this university guy who attempted suicide. He was in level 400 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. From what I remember, he was studying pharmacy.
His university colleagues said he was a very quiet person, and they didn’t expect him to even be going through something or even do what he did.
He was always seen by himself, even during parties, and just mostly didn’t mingle with anyone at all.
Most people in the university like to be in study groups right? But he didn’t. He just liked to study alone, go everywhere alone and just be alone. But his friends from junior high and senior high school said he wasn’t like that. And that made me realize there was a lot going on in his head that he didn't let others see, or something happened in his life that changed him.
I was right. His parents were going through difficult times and inasmuch as they tried hiding it from him, he got to know. One day, he stood on the balcony of the fifth floor of his hostel and then jumped. Fortunately, there were ropes around all the balconies, and so the ropes caught onto him, and then people came to rescue him.
When this happened, people really laughed at him. Others even named him Superman for jumping from that floor. I remember being so confused as to why people were mocking him on social media, knowing well he tried taking his life. It was just another reminder of how we just do not take our mental health seriously in this country.
The main shocker came when he got arrested. Yes, he got arrested for trying to commit suicide and that’s when I realized there was something wrong with this country. Someone tried to die, and the first thought is to arrest him? Not to a psych ward or hospital but to prison?
I later found out that it indeed was a constitutional rule in the country, and it says attempted suicide is a legal problem, and the person who tries taking their own life must be punished by the law. Hilarious, right?
Anyway, now, it has been changed and people who attempt suicide get the help they need. And that even happened after there was an uproar from citizens about that law. And sometimes when it comes to mind, I just wonder who even brought it.
Images are mine