Street Talk; Samoa Observer’s young journalist Faith Leapai and photojournalist Junior S Ami spoke to the youth regarding their views on suicide in Samoa. This is what they had to say.

Lonnysha Taua, 19, Vaitele Fou

Suicide is an action I believe most people take to get out of their problems or it’s like an easy way to escape from everything, especially for teenagers. Nowadays it is very difficult for them to cope with everything like studies and there’s family, friends and relationships. My message is suicide is not an answer to everything and you may find it as a way to get out of it but if your close friends see it they may be like that is not an answer. If you’re going through something the best way to get out of it is to get up and talk it out to someone than holding it in.

Zion Robeck, 17, Vaoala

Suicide is a sin because God only gave us one life and we should take full advantage of it. We also have to make sure God is at the centre of our lives. Suicide is bad so it has to be talked about more often and not just thrown under the bridge.  The action that we should take on suicide is to talk to friends, especially those who are contemplating suicide. They should be open up more and should also attend therapy or counselling just to help those who are depressed and need help.

Jonathan Aljim, 17, Lelata

Suicide is a very bad action to take. You have to think about the consequences of suicide because it will affect you and your family. When looking at suicide you have to think what is going to happen if you commit suicide, especially your family and friends and your loved ones. There are certain things you and your family usually do but you have to change. Once you commit suicide your family would not want to attend anything and everything in the future because they have the feeling of being ashamed and the feeling that something is missing in their family.  The action they should take would be the Samoa Victim Support because it has been a great help to everyone.

John Matautia, 19, Leulumoega Tuai

As a Christian, if you commit suicide you won’t be able to see Heaven and a solution for this action is to initiate a program that can help make people talk about their problems so we can help prevent suicide. We can decrease the number of people going through suicidal thoughts. Suicide does not help solve anything. It creates more problems, especially for families.

Sapi Ofisa, 17, Matautu Lefaga

Suicide is a common problem, especially with teenagers and the young generation. The main cause of this I believe is alcohol. This is the main reason that leads our generations to commit suicide and the way to prevent it is sharing your opinion and your thoughts to others and your families. Also, if you have problems, you can ask other people for help, especially your family but if you don’t want your family to know then talk to your friends or someone you know that might help you prevent yourself from committing suicide.

 Egnezeema Chan Tung, 17, Siusega

I see that nowadays it is becoming increasingly common, especially here in Samoa. I believe the reason they commit suicide in the first place is they believe they have no purpose to serve in the world or they are experiencing stress, traumas or difficulties brought about by the problems they are facing in their lives. I believe that it’s at home where it begins because if you don’t have a good background I’m sure you will feel very much reserved or isolated from your family or most likely feel left out. You see that you can’t handle things alone and that’s where you start to reach your breaking point and then you just want to end things. For me, I’m a Christian and I stick to my Christian values and I believe that suicide is a sin. I believe we should all work together as a community we should all try to strengthen one another and try to build a stronger bond with our young ones, especially the teenagers.