Understanding and Preventing Child Suicide in the United Republic of Tanzania: Seligman’s Theory of Well-Being and Logo-Therapy

Children in the world today are more abandoned, neglected and abused than any time in history. Tanzania as part of the world is not an island. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death globally. While rare in younger than 10 years, suicide death rates increase markedly between the ages of adolescence and young adulthood. In 2022, more than 3000 people including children killed themselves in Tanzania, placing the country 4th in Africa with the highest suicide rate. The prevalence of depression in the general population of Tanzania is 4.1%, while suicide has been reported in 2.3/100 000 of the general population. Although a child according to the varied definitions is any person from age 5 to 18, this study focuses on children ages (but not limited to) 7-17, and 17-27. It is, however, worth noting that Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines 'children' as persons up to the age of 18 (UNCRC). Child suicide indicates failure of social institution. The objectives of the study are: i) to explain child suicide ii) to elucidate the causes of child suicide, and iii) to offer preventive measures of child suicide in the United Republic of Tanzania. The study employs the WHO Non-Invasive Qualitative Violence Info Methodology which generates evidence to address this acute but neglected problem. The WHO Non-Invasive Violence Info Methodology is supplemented by the Inter-Generational Qualitative Method which recognizes and includes all ages as the problem is cross-cutting. The Seligman’s PERMA theory of well-being and Logo-Therapy are applied in this study. The results indicate that the myths and facts of suicide have not been captured by social institutions. The study suggests humane treatment of all children. All children must be treated equally with dignity and sanctity. Family and parenting should be improved to be child-centered, and schooling should not only be inclusive but invitational as well. The study concludes that it is the Behavioral sciences approach which holds a promise in preventing suicide. According to Behavioral sciences, knowledge and information enhance management of any problem. Children who are dying of suicide have been suffering from unnoticed intra-psychic conflict for long time.