Mulanje district has registered a decrease in suicide cases in the past nine months, police say.

Mulanje police spokesperson Gresham Ngwira told YFM online that from January to October this year 11 suicide cases were registered an improvement from last year’s 15 cases in the same period.

He stated that more men committed suicide compared to women.

Ngwira added that gender based violence and lack of psycho-social support are the causes of these cases.

He therefore requested people who are facing gender based violence to seek help other than resorting to take their own life.

Meanwhile, police is stepping up efforts to raise awareness on where one can get help if they are dealing with issues.

During the commemoration of world mental health day on 10 October principal secretary in the ministry of health Dr Dan Namarika said poverty, depression, alcohol and drug abuse are some of the contributing factors to suicide in Malawi.

On the other hand the World Health organization said the health  sector can train non-specialized workers to assess and manage suicidal behavior, and improve follow-up care for people who have attempted suicide.