Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has pledged to take a leading role in shaping a new national perspective on suicide prevention, urging Tanzanians to break the silence and confront stigma surrounding mental health.
The hospital’s Executive Director, Dr. Dellilah Kimambo, made the appeal during the commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day in Dar es Salaam yesterday, September 10, 2025.
She said suicide remains a silent crisis in Tanzania and beyond, with stigma, fear, and lack of awareness fueling the challenge.
“In Tanzania, as is the case globally, this issue is often hidden behind silence, stigma, and misunderstanding. But behind every statistic, there is a human story: a mother, father, brother, sister, student, or neighbor who lost hope, or stories of pain and loneliness,” Dr. Kimambo said.
Dr. Kimambo noted that MNH, through its Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, is committed to expanding access to mental health services.
These include counseling, treatment, and psychosocial support for survivors and their families, alongside awareness campaigns through seminars, workshops, and media engagements.
This year’s global theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” highlights the urgency of reshaping perceptions and building a culture of openness around mental health.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 720,000 people die by suicide every year equivalent to one death every 40 seconds.
Nearly 90 percent of those cases are linked to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
Dr. Kimambo urged stakeholders from families and communities to policymakers and media to join forces in addressing suicide as a public health concern and in safeguarding the future generation’s wellbeing.
