Suicide seems like a taboo subject; but we can use it as a barometer to gauge or deduce the level at which or the extent to which people are generally dissatisfied with life!

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) every year, more than 700,000 people commit suicide, with over 77 percent occurring in low-income and middle-income countries. It cuts across a broad age range, and it is the fourth leading cause of death among people aged 15-29 years; especially based on 2019 data.[1]

I like to give some examples just to make the point that the calibre of dissatisfied people who pre-meditatively end their own lives prematurely, cuts across the spectrum or strata of society. And some are really shocking!

Early 2017, there were rampant suicides in Ghana, especially among the youth; including many who were students and pupils.

It is possible to be lively, or even make a lot of money and still not live a truly fulfilling life! Indeed, so many wealthy – and seemingly happy – people are known to have committed suicide. For instance…

In 2014 a rich and famous actor and comedian called Robbin Williams – a very good entertainer and an Oscar-winner at that – committed suicide.

Some years ago, a wealthy American businessman attempted to commit what is classified as ‘the perfect suicide.’ His idea or goal was to trick the Security Forces to ‘mistakenly’ shoot him on his own compound. This wealthy businessman later claimed that he could not find happiness, in spite of his great wealth. Though about five bullets got at him, he did not die; he was eventually tried, convicted, and jailed. While in jail, he converted to become a Christian and subsequently found happiness and committed himself to spreading the gospel.

Also, it is possible to be very religious or even garner high academic laurels and still not live a truly fulfilling life! Incidences of very religious people – including pastors – and intellectuals committing suicide abound. For instance…

In April 2013, Matthew Warren committed suicide at age 27. He was the son of Pastor Rick Warren – author of The Purpose Driven Life; a world bestseller. Pastor Warren had this to say: “In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.”

In October 2015, A Roman Catholic priest with the Spiritan University College at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region of Ghana committed suicide.

On 9th September 2019, Jarrid Wilson – pastor, and author of the book, “Love Is Oxygen: How God Can Give You Life and Change Your World” – committed suicide. That same day, Gregory Eells – Executive director of counseling and psychological services, and head of mental health services at University of Pennsylvania, and TEDx Conference Speaker on Cultivating Resilience – also committed suicide.

In July 2008, a Specialist Doctor – one of the only two Urologists at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra at that time – committed suicide at his East Legon residence; citing that “he could not reconcile with life”.

May their souls rest in peace!

Admittedly, suicide is extreme and though everyday people commit suicide, and many people contemplate suicide but do not get to execute it, just as some also attempt suicide but somehow do not get to complete it, many of those who are dissatisfied with life may not contemplate suicide; but the point remains that majority of people are not truly fulfilled! It is that serious!

[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide [Accessed 23:36 on 22nd October 2022]