As the world commemorated World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday, Burundian psychologist Alain Joseph Hatungimana has called for a shift in perceptions about suicide, urging citizens to move away from cultural beliefs that associate it with witchcraft.
Speaking to Bonesha FM, Hatungimana has said that the widespread proverb claiming that “the one who commits suicide is someone who has been witched” misrepresents the reality of mental health struggles. He noted that suicide is often the result of emotional distress and lack of support rather than mystical causes.
“Many people end up committing suicide because they are searching for answers they cannot find,” Hatungimana said. “You see someone begin to isolate themselves, lose interest in things they once enjoyed, or struggle with insomnia caused by anxiety. These are signs of emotional suffering, not witchcraft.”
According to the financial data site Macrotrends, Burundi’s suicide rate stood at 7.65 per 100,000 people in 2021—an increase of more than 14% compared to 2020. No recent national figures are available.
Hatungimana emphasized that weak family and social support systems are major contributors to suicidal thoughts. “There are people who wish to end their lives because they have lost support. They feel abandoned, unable to support others, and see no alternative but suicide,” he said.
He urged Burundians to strengthen mutual support and to encourage open conversations on mental health. “We need to help one another. People should learn to seek help when overwhelmed and engage in dialogue, because conversations can have a strong impact on saving lives,” he added.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year worldwide, with each case leaving behind devastating social, emotional, and economic consequences.
The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2024–2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” The campaign emphasizes the need to move away from stigma and silence toward openness, empathy, and support. It also calls on governments to prioritize suicide prevention and mental health in public policy.
First launched in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with WHO, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed every September 10 to raise awareness and spread the message that suicide can be prevented.
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