Inmate in prison with handcuff. (Photo: Courtesy).

A psychologist has criticized any legal prosecution of people who have attempted suicide, saying the procedure is against psychological healing.

Emmanuel Bida, a Counselor on Mental Health and Co-Founder of Healthy Minds says people who have suicidal thoughts should not be imprisoned but they could be sent for mental health therapy.

“The idea of putting someone in jail for attempted to commit suicide I can say it’s not the right approach because you to understand the reason behind his attempt,” he said.

Bida made the appeal after the police arrested and detained a 30-year-old woman after she threatened to jump to her death on Friday in Jebal residential area.

The woman climbed to the roof of a church, where she contemplated taking her life over a family dispute.

But she eventually changed her mind and police went on to arrest and charge her with the offense of mischief under section 315 of the penal code.

Reacting to the incident, Bida said jailing the woman who attempted suicide cannot prevent her from committing the act.

“How is the police cell going to prevent her from committing the suicide? This may prevent her from committing suicide at that moment but what will happen when he gets out of the cell.”

“So, the best thing to do if someone attempted to commit suicide is to take him to the hospital where they can get medical help and consultation from a Psychologist in the juba teaching hospital.

Attempting suicide is calling for help

On her part, Martha Jeremiah Swaka, an Advocate and Commissioner for Oath says attempting suicide in public is more like calling for help with a loud voice.

“We can’t change anything. If you appear in a public place and threaten to commit suicide, you need help, but unfortunately, this exposes you to punishment under the section in which police filed a case.”

“Imprisonment does not prevent her or him from being subjected to a psychological assessment to find out the motive and the reason behind her attempt to commit suicide.”

Jobe suggest the need for activists and mental health experts to campaign for the decriminalization of the section of the penal act.

“We also must understand that it is a crime, unless activists and investigators intervene in the field of psychiatry and decide that this act is not criminalized.”

The 2008 Penal Act does not provide for the prosecution of any person who has attempted suicide.

However, section 315 of the Act says whoever has the intent to cause wrongful loss or damage to the public or to any person, commits the offense of mischief.

Upon conviction, he/she shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or with a fine or with both.