The community in Abyei is trying to find a solution to the problem of suicide in the disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan.
Last week, 20-year-old Magun Agiir killed himself in Agok. His family said they were shocked, as there had been no signs that Magun had been having such thoughts.
His step-mother, Nyantuc Achuil, said Magun had complained of feeling bad, but she thought he was just unwell. She spoke of the family’s pain, and also said she was afraid for the future as Magun had been the one who took care of them.
Psychologists say there is an association between the number of people taking their own lives, and the amount of trauma and hardship in the region.
A study carried out by Cush International found that many people in Abyei suffer from trauma after losing loved ones in the 2011 crisis, which may be a factor contributing to suicide.
A psychologist, Kuol Ayom Madut, said friends and relatives should watch out for anyone who they thought might be having feelings of self-harm.
He said there were both physical factors, such as a lack of money and food, and social ones. These could include a lack of one or both parents, leading in turn to feelings of a lack of support.
The Catholic Church in Abyei trained more than 40 people in trauma healing last month. Father Stephen Biong Kuol urged anyone suffering trauma or stress to come forward for counseling. He said the church plans to organize more training in trauma healing later in the month.
Alor Ariik, head of Agok’s criminal department, advised young people that there is always a better option than suicide. He said hardship may be a factor contributing to suicide. Attempted suicide is treated as a crime in Abyei.
Reporting by Abyei Today