BBC
The journey to 79-year-old Matlohang Moloi’s home is a steep climb from the main road, winding through the mountains that characterize Lesotho, one of the highest countries in the world.
Matlohang, a mother of 10, warmly welcomes me into her tidy home, sharing photos of her extensive family. Our conversation centers around one of her children – her eldest son, Tlohang.
At the age of 38, Tlohang tragically became a part of a distressing statistic. Lesotho, known as the kingdom in the sky, holds the record for the world’s highest suicide rate.
“Tlohang was a good son. He had confided in me about his mental health struggles,” Ms. Moloi shares.
“Even on the day he took his own life, he came to me and said, ‘mother, one day you will hear that I have taken my life’.
“His passing deeply pained me. I wish he had been able to articulate more clearly what was troubling him. He feared that if he spoke up, others would view him as weak and incapable of solving his own problems.”
Matlohang Moloi’s son, Tlohang, tragically ended his own life
According to the World Health Organization, Lesotho witnesses 87.5 suicides per 100,000 individuals annually, a staggering figure.
This rate surpasses the next country on the list, Guyana in South America, by more than double, where the figure stands at just over 40.
It is also nearly ten times higher than the global average of nine suicides per 100,000 people.
This alarming statistic is what organizations like HelpLesotho are striving to change, by empowering young individuals with tools to manage their mental health.
In Hlotse, a town roughly two hours away from the capital, Maseru, I attend a group therapy session for young women led by social worker Lineo Raphoka.
“Many believe discussing mental health is contrary to our African values, cultural experiences, and spirituality as Africans, and as a community,” explains 24-year-old Patience to the group.
“But we cannot ignore the reality that it exists. I speak from the pain of losing three friends to suicide and my own personal attempts.”
Lineo Raphoka facilitates group therapy sessions
Each individual in the group has either experienced suicidal thoughts or knows someone who has taken their own life.
As 35-year-old Ntsoaki shares her story of being raped in a hospital, emotions run high within the group.
“The doctor told me I was too attractive. Then he brandished a gun, demanding pleasure from me, threatening to kill me if I refused.
“Each time I contemplated suicide, it felt like the only solution. I lacked the strength to go through with it. The thought of my brothers kept me going. They see me as strong, but I feel weak.”
The group offers Ntsoaki reassurance, acknowledging her courage in opening up.
As the session concludes, the women engage in lively conversation and smiles, expressing relief at sharing their stories.
The reasons behind suicide are complex, making it challenging to pinpoint a single cause. However, Ms. Raphoka recognizes patterns that shed light on Lesotho’s high suicide rate.
“Individuals often navigate situations such as rape, unemployment, bereavement. They resort to substance abuse,” she explains.
A report by the World Population Review in 2022 reveals that 86% of women in Lesotho have encountered gender-based violence.
Additionally, the World Bank notes that two in five young people in Lesotho are neither employed nor receiving education.
“They lack sufficient support from family, friends, or any relationships they may have,” Ms. Raphoka adds.
This sentiment is echoed widely in Lesotho, where many express discomfort discussing mental health due to fears of judgment.
In a local bar in Hlotse, amidst lively discussions on politics and football, I broach the topic of mental health with the patrons.
“We encourage open dialogue,” Khosi Mpiti shares. “Although some fear being the subject of gossip, we are witnessing positive changes.”
Khosi Mpiti (L) believes men are improving in offering support to one another
While seeking help, individuals encounter challenges within the struggling public health system.
The country’s sole psychiatric unit faced criticism from the ombudsman last year for lacking a psychiatrist since 2017.
Widespread abuses, including violations of human rights, were also highlighted in the report.
Previously, Lesotho lacked a national mental health policy to address the crisis, but the newly elected government claims to be in the process of formulating one.
“Mental health has reached pandemic proportions,” acknowledges Mokhothu Makhalanyane, an MP leading a parliamentary committee focusing on health matters.
MP Mokhothu Makhalanyane states that reducing stigma will have a significant impact
“We are ramping up advocacy efforts, starting from primary schools to football tournaments where young people gather,” he informs the BBC.
“The policy will outline specific treatment protocols, enabling those affected to access rehabilitation services.”
He also suggests drawing lessons from Lesotho’s successful fight against HIV/AIDS, where the “test-and-treat” strategy was implemented in 2016, allowing immediate treatment upon diagnosis. Las tasas de infección de la BBC han caído consistentemente.
“La experiencia que tuvimos es que hablar abiertamente, y no culpar ni criticar a las personas por su situación, ayudó a cambiar las cosas.”
De vuelta en las montañas, la Sra. Moloi da un corto paseo para atender la tumba de Tlohang.
Su lugar de descanso final es un terreno con una vista impresionante, salpicado de arroyos, vegetación y casitas.
El hijo de Matlohang Moloi está enterrado a un corto paseo de su casa.
La Sra. Moloi es una de muchas personas que viven en Lesotho y que están lidiando con el dolor de la muerte por suicidio.
Mientras disfrutamos de la vista, ella dice que tiene un mensaje para aquellos que se encuentran en la misma situación que su hijo.
“Les diría a las personas que quitarse la vida nunca es una solución. Lo que tienen que hacer es hablar con las personas a su alrededor para que puedan ayudarles.”
Si te has visto afectado por los problemas de esta historia y estás sufriendo angustia o desesperación y necesitas apoyo, podrías hablar con un profesional de la salud, o con una organización que ofrezca apoyo.
En el Reino Unido, la ayuda está disponible a través de la Línea de Acción de la BBC. Los detalles de la ayuda disponible en muchos países se pueden encontrar en Befrienders Worldwide.
Más historias de la BBC sobre Lesotho:
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