A worrying rise in suicide cases has pushed communities in Rumphi to seek spiritual support, with church leaders being urged to help restore hope and prevent more lives from being lost.
Speaking during an interdenominational prayer service at Kanyerele, Rumphi Central legislator Engineer Matthews Mtumbuka appealed to religious leaders to take a leading role in tackling the growing crisis.
Mtumbuka said churches have a vital responsibility to offer spiritual guidance, hope and counselling to people facing difficult circumstances.
He urged communities to work together to protect vulnerable people, especially young people, whom local leaders say are the most affected.
He also encouraged the youth to remain ambitious, engage in productive activities and surround themselves with people who inspire positive thinking instead of giving in to despair.
Group Village Head Principle Mjuma said the prayer gathering was organised in response to growing concern over suicide cases in the area. He thanked Mtumbuka for supporting the initiative and described prayer as an important step towards restoring hope in the community.
Community leaders say Kanyerele has recorded four suicide cases in the past nine months, involving two young men and two traditional leaders, underscoring the urgent need for both spiritual and community-based interventions.
