THE Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) Lusaka Conference Youth Ministries has urged church leaders to prioritise mental health teachings among youths in the congregations.
Recently, the country has recorded many cases of youths who have died from self induced deaths, of which most victims are those who suffered from silent depression or battled mental health.
Last week, an Adventist Youth member (AY) of Lubanze congregation in Nangoma town of Mumbwa district ended her life by consuming a poisonous substance.
19-year-old Mutinta Chinyama Munkombwe, who was an Ambassador in the church was only discovered half dead on Wednesday after she was found near the Nangoma bridge, fighting for her life.
Her death was confirmed by SDA Nangoma Mission District Communication Leader, Shike Kolosi.
While the reasons behind her decision remain unknown, Mutinta is said to have left her home upset after a minor family misunderstanding over a missing phone Which was reported to Nangoma Police station where she was needed for questioning.
But as police tried to call her for questioning, Mutinta, who delayed said she would go, but unknown to everyone, she went and bought the poison which she consumed just opposite the station.
After taking the substance, Mutinta was dicovered at Nangoma bridge, fighting for her life and calling for help, attracting the attention of a female bystander.
The matter was then reported to the police, who promptly rushed to the scene and took her to the hospital where she was taken conscious, but unfortunately died minutes later.
Shike Kolosi described the death of Mutinta as a loss to the church, especially that she was such a humble girl that no one expected to take such a route.
“We are all sorrowful because she was such a humble girl. The death of Mutinta Chinyama serves as a poignant reminder of the need for open communication and support within families and communities, especially for young people struggling in silence,” said Kolosi.
The development also caught the attention of the SDA Lusaka Conference youth Ministry who are also calling on an immediate concentration to mental health among youths in churches.
“We are just saddened by her death, especially if it could have been avoided if she shared her problem with counselors. But this simply shows that youths go through a lot of mental health problems. As youth counselors, master guides and senior youth leaders it is important to constantly check on our members and offer guidance on matters that affect mental faculties,” the Conference said.
Mutinta’s funeral gathering was in Zimba District, her home village.
When depressed or in situations of stress, always seek for assistance. Look for someone you can pour out to because there is always one ready to listen. There are so many solutions to every problem only if we look, but ending your own life is not one of them.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba October 15, 2024
 Lusaka Conference Youth Ministries has urged church leaders to prioritise mental health teachings among youths in the congregations.){kind=link}