Mbabane – The Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula said Eswatini’s suicide rates were alarming showing 29.4 deaths per 100,000 population with men on the lead. He encouraged people to seek help when going through life difficulties.
Speaking at the World Suicide Prevention Day commemoration on Wednesday, Matsebula said recognising the day for the first time in Eswatini was aimed at renewing the government’s determination to address issues of suicide and mental health.
The commemoration themed, ‘Changing the Narrative: Start the Conversation’, Matsebula said, underscores that this is not just a day of awareness, but it is a day of action, reflection, and commitment. He noted the great impacts left by suicides.
It is the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, Eswatini ranks as the second country in the word with the highest suicide numbers. Moreover, data from the 2024 STEPS Survey revealed that 21.8% of adults, approximately one in five, reported experiencing depressive symptoms, with a significant proportion disclosing suicidal thoughts and the loss of a loved one to suicide.
Health facilities documented 387 cases involving suicidal thoughts, attempts, and related behaviours from the period 2021 to mid-2025.
“For us, this is more than just a statistic. It is a heart wrenching reality touching many families, schools, workplaces, and communities. The burden is disproportionately borne by men, youth, and vulnerable populations such as women and students, underscoring the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions,” Matsebula said.
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