Police has called on Rwandans to always alert them or local authorities about individuals who may show suicidal signs so as to offer them the necessary help. The appeal follows three separate suicide cases which were reported in the country on Tuesday. When authorities are informed in time, the risk of committing suicide, bodily harm or fatal self injury is reduced. In different incidents, two men, 35 and 37-year-old, all residents of Rutsiro District, committed suicide. The third incident took place in Gashaki Sector, Musanze District, where a 30-year-old man was also found hanging by a rope. The three bodies were taken for postmortem, as police continued investigations into the cases. The Police Spokesperson for Western Region, Inspector Theobald Kanamugire, said residents who show signs of despair need counseling. “Timely counselling prevents suicide; therefore, if you notice that someone is desperate, try and talk to them and to advise them to seek professional help. ‘‘If they show no response, inform police or local authorities,” IP Kanamugire said. “No matter what someone is going through, suicide should never be seen as the answer. Therefore, residents are advised to raise awareness about this problem by telling members of the community to offer support to anyone who exhibits a suicidal character.” He called on partners in crime prevention, such as community policing committees and the youth, to reach out to the public and discuss suicide prevention measures, among other crime prevention initiatives. Suicide is not punishable, according to the Rwandan Penal Code; however, any person who induces, helps, or provokes another person to commit suicide is punnished under the law. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
