CRIMINALIZATION OF SUICIDE INTENTION AS A PREVENTION MEASURE TO COMMITTING SUICIDE: A STUDY OF ITS IMPACT AMONG CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS FROM MUSLIM BACKGROUNDS IN DANDORA, KENYA
Authors:
*Donghee Kang, Josephine K. Mutuku Sesi
Abstract:
Suicide is one of the major global issues and health problems affecting the human populace as one person commits suicide in the world every 40 seconds with nearly 800,000 people dying from suicide every year (WHO, 2012). This paper, therefore, seeks to answer the question: whether the criminalization of suicide has any effect on deterring Christian believers from Muslim backgrounds with suicidal ideation to execute their plans and if not what should be done. This study was conducted among 20 believers from Muslim backgrounds living in Dandora, in Nairobi, to examine the possible impact of criminalization on suicide prevention and corresponding measurements. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were performed with the selected sample to gain insight into the issue based on individuals’ personal experiences. The findings of the study indicate that the criminalization of suicide attempts does not help prevent suicide. This paper, therefore, suggests a change to the law that would help those who attempt suicide access treatment and timely counselling without fear of arrest. As corresponding measurements, this study found that the participants who read the Bible every day, attend worship every Sunday, and pray every day show recovery from suicidal behaviour, indicating that religious factors can deter suicide.