542 people have committed suicide thus far, and the Health Ministry is intensifying efforts to create awareness and advocate for mental health education in the ||Kharas and Hardap regions ahead of World Mental Health Day. 

The day is commemorated each year on the 10th of December. 

To raise awareness of mental health, the Ministry of Health's Directorate of Primary Health Care Services, in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare, held its first march in memory of those who committed suicide.

The march called for stigma reduction, empowerment of individuals, prioritisation of mental well-being, and advocate for improved mental health policies and community engagement. 

"Suicide is a crime. When somebody commits suicide, there is police involvement. All the legal activities are involved, so we are now saying it is time that we change this narrative and talk more about suicide and discuss more about suicide in our workplaces, in our communities, and in our houses so that we cannot keep quiet about it," said Magdalena Didalewa, Senior Health Officer in the Ministry of Health.

One of the objectives of the awareness campaigns is to decentralise psychoeducation and community mobilisation activities.

"So our workforce has also been neglected when it comes to mental health, so we are working in toxic environments. Our workplaces are not so conducive, and this hampers the productivity of the workforce. It is not only affecting the workers themselves; the employees in the public sector and government are also being affected."  

Those who participated welcomed the initiative.

The main commemoration will take place on the 10th of December in Rehoboth.