Hey everyone. Hope you all are doing just fine. I know God has been wonderful to to you guys and your families. His name be blessed.

I want to talk about a very sensitive topic today. It's very very sensitive. I want to talk about suicide. 👈🏾Yes, you read that right. I just want to lay some points down on the table.

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• On August 20th, 2021, David Ogbonna, a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University hung himself allegedly because he was experiencing poor performance in his studies Source. It's so sad.

• On October 7th, 2021, Adeola, a student of LASU saw it fit to take her life by ingesting a poisonous substance because of her inability to pay school fees.Source

• Okay let's talk about recently. Henry Ehis, a UNIJOS student committed suicide because of the ASUU strike crises last month Source. "Hell, no! Impossible!" You may be thinking that. If you think that's crazy, then how about this...

• Olivia James, a student of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Ebonyi State committed suicide in Lagos because her boyfriend ghosted her and stopped receiving her calls. She consumed a poisonous substance and ended her life on 11th October, 2021 Source. Can you imagine. So while I was celebrating my birthday last year, somebody was killing herself.

And these are just but a few cases among the many since the history of Nigerian tertiary education.

It is really sad and heartbreaking to hear that someone, even if you may not know the person committed suicide. Then to begin to imagine that students in a school will take their lives as a result of their problems is unbearable.

Depression:

Except someone is mentally ill, what cause suicide is depression. This can be due to **traumatic stress, loss or fear of loss such as academic failure or loss of a loved one, substance abuse, social isolation, chronic pain or illness and many other reasons.

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Depression is a very difficult thing to deal with. However, let's not allow depression to get deep into our heads. It's not worth it to take our own lives. Remember, God gave us our lives, and so, if for any reason you feel like there's a need to take it, remember that the person who gave you your life still hasn't given up on you.

How You Can Help Others When They Are Depressed:

• Be friendly them: Don't be among the people trying to push someone away. Remember, if it were you in his or her position, you won't be happy. Some people commit suicide merely because they have nobody to talk to or because others make fun of them too much. Don't try to be among. Be the person's friend.

• Offer to help: Let them know that you're there for them always and mean it. Help them when the need arises.

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• Don't criticize or condemn them: This is a mistake that a lot of people make. Criticism doesn't solve anything. Don't make the person feel like he or she is wrong for being depressed. Depression can attack you too at anytime and you won't want anybody coming at you with harsh words.

Let's remember, nothing should warrant us to kill ourselves. Killing ourselves doesn't make things any better.

Remember that there are people out there that still love you and care for you. Taking your life will just cause more pain to them.

Things might look very hard, but try and surround yourself with people that are willing to listen to you. When you feel all hope is lost, remember that there is a God in heaven who loves you and wouldn't let anything happen to you.

Thank you.

Stay Safe.

Steem On!