The WHO has reported that; Africa has the highest number of death by suicide cases. With each suicide there are 20 attempts.

According to the World Health Organization; Mental Health problems affect about 116 million people in the African region from 53 million in 1990.

The media in Uganda has been flooded by suicide cases of majorly young people including a primary five pupil from Agago primary school and a senior six student of Bukoyo secondary school.

A Sunday sermon at Makerere Full Gospel Church by pastor Fred Wantante titled, ” I formed you, Live!” inspired by Jeremiah 1:5 was one worth an ear especially with the rise of suicide cases in the country.

Paying attention to the media reports on suicide; he vehemently reminded the congregation to celebrate the truth in psalm 139 -“I am fearfully and wonderfully made” no matter what you go through, God has a plan.

As Jeremiah 1:5 states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” – He revealed to the congregation, “you’re a product of meticulous thought and planning.”

With the analogy of a Mercedes Benz; pastor Fred explained that a car with the Benz symbol is seen as class A, not because of how the car looks but because of the mark the car carries. In the same way, when God created us, he put a mark on us and that is a symbol of ownership and class as belonging to God, ‘If I were you- I would be proud’ he added.

Mercedez Benz symbol.

“God put a mark upon you, you were made in the image of God, you have no right to take your own life” He said.

“Your life can not be terminated by anything unless God permits it –I formed you. He put the day you were born and the day you will leave- don’t cut your life short”- He added.

Pastor Fred encouraged the young people not to lose hope because God has a purpose for their lives, an assigned task and they should accomplish it. “Pray whenever you wake up and commit your day before God”.

Courtesy Photo.