Police in the Otjozondjupa Region have raised concerns about the increasing cases of suicide. They are now appealing to the public going through problems and challenges to seek help instead of taking their own lives.

The concern follows after police recorded three suicides of security forces in one week.

Suicide and drug possession top the weekend police report.
 
Two of the three suicides reported are of women in their 40s.

At Oshifo's Omumbonde Village, Lucia Pokanana (47) allegedly hanged herself at home, as did 44-year-old Meriam Kairi from Orwetoveni at Otjiwarongo.

The Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, says exam results cause anxiety amongst learners and that they need support at all times. 

Nghipondoka said this after an incident where a 17-year-old male learner, Shatiwa Nghifilenga, allegedly committed suicide after failing Grade 11.

A visual artist is using his talent to raise awareness about suicide in Rundu.

Paulus Kanyanga believes that his "Suicide Mural Project" will encourage more Namibians to open up about the realities behind the act.

A recent spate of suicides in various regions of Namibia has raised concern and shed light on a pressing need for enhanced mental health support and awareness.

Twenty-nine children committed suicide over a period of one year. They are part of the 770 people who committed suicide during the same period.

679 cases of suicide have been reported in Namibia since last year, of which 82% were men.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, stated that the suicide rate among men is high because men are discouraged from seeking help because they are often labelled as weak.

A 21-year-old mother took her life after murdering her 5-year-old daughter at the old Ombili informal settlement at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region on Saturday.

Police in the town were alerted to the crime between 16h50 and 17h00.

WEEKEND CRIME | The Namibian Police report four suicides and one sudden death over the weekend.

A senior citizen, 72-year-old Julius Hengombe, was found hanging from a wire under a tree at the Ojikango Ekwenya village in the Otjozondjpa Region. No suicide note was found.

Robberies, theft, murder, suicide, culpable homicide, and possession of harmful substances were crimes reported by the Police this past weekend.

Three deaths by suicide were recorded, the first being Mashadia Marques, a resident of Windhoek's Dorado Valley.