Reported By Catherine Tembo:
Malawi has registered 153 cases of suicide between January and March 2025.
In 2024, the country recorded 597 cases between January and December, while in 2023, 527 cases were registered.
This was disclosed during a Mental Health Workshop in Lilongwe organized by Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, under the theme “Advancing Mental Health and Trauma Recovery for Professionals and Children.”
Dr. Michael Udedi, Assistant Director of Curative Medical Rehabilitation Services in the Ministry of Health, said many people are experiencing mental health and psychosocial issues, leading to a worsened situation of suicide, as evidenced by the suicidal behaviors between 2021 and 2025.
He identified socioeconomic factors, exposure to suicide, relationships, and family issues as contributing factors to the rise.
” We have put in place various interventions, such as training people in the community and health providers to help with psychological first aid when individuals experience mental health issues” Dr Udedi Explains.
Meanwhile, Chisangalalalo Mtonia, Country Director for Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE), in a separate interview, stated that there is a need to do more in advocating for children’s mental health, as certain cultural practices are contributing to the problem.
He said, “The country is moving at a snail’s pace, hence he called upon stakeholders, including the government, to join forces to deal with cultural practices that contribute to mental health issues among children”.
