The Honourable Minister of Police, Mr Mthethwa
The Deputy Minister of Police, M Sotyu
Deputy National Commissioners of the SAPS
Divisional and Provincial Commissioners
The Secretary of Police
Religious leaders present Police members in blue of all ranks
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

I extend my warm welcome to all present at this important SAPS summit on suicide prevention. At a proceeding on suicidology, Schlubush (2000) defined suicidal behaviour as signifying a wide range of self-destructive or self-damaging acts in which people engage pre-determinedly or impulsively with various degrees of motive, lethal intent, and awareness of possible outcomes and consequences.

It is important that we realize and emphasize the importance of this meeting, recognizing mechanisms of responding and most of all preventing these occurrences of suicide.

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1 million people die each year from suicide. What drives so many individuals to take their own lives? To those not in the grips of suicidal depression and despair, it's difficult to understand what drives so many individuals to take their own lives.

But a suicidal person is in so much pain that he or she can see no other option.
Suicide is one of the most tragic events in human life, causing serious emotional and psychological distress to individuals, families and society, and poses a great economic problem for society at large. Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can't see any way of finding relief except through death.

Despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to committing suicide, but they just can't see one

A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. Most people who commit suicide don't want to die they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with recognising the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or colleague is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.

Police officers are often reluctant to tell their commanders about their problems because they fear their careers will be destroyed. So they make the mistake of trying to solve their problems quietly and that often leads to alcohol or substance abuse or suicide. Stress is taking its toll on police officers throughout the nation. Though it is a problem that many loath to talk about publicly, we have decided to go this route of a summit in order to heighten the levels of awareness.

Minister, Deputy Minister and other colleagues gathered here. I am certain I speak for all of you when I say that as the police, there is nothing that hurts the most than the death of a colleague. Regardless of how it happens, it is a serious loss to us. It is equally a loss to the community they were serving as well as the family and friends.

Programme Director, this is not theory. It is a sad reality for us. This very morning, a Warrant Officer from Protea Glen in Soweto, took out his firearm and shot himself inside his house in front of his family. He died on the scene. May I request that we all rise and take a moment of silence in recognition of this fallen officer.

I hope and I am confident that this important summit will make us, the South African Police Service, appreciate the work that has been undertaken by our peers and colleagues to further raise awareness about the help available to deal with emotional trauma and other social problems.

Indeed there is no single solution to this intractable social problem of suicide. The only thing I know for sure, is that taking one's life, sometimes with those of your loved ones, is not a solution. It only brings about immense pain to those left behind.

Perhaps in our engagements we will be able to find new ways of unravelling this complex issue and working as a collective in our fight against suicide. I hope we will find this summit stimulating and challenging, and hopefully our efforts will continue to yield positive results in addressing this phenomenon.

Thank you