LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has expressed deep concern over the rising number of suicide cases being reported across the country as the festive season approaches, calling for urgent psychosocial support and financial reforms, inclusivity in the banking sector to prevent further loss of life.

Speaking in an interview with Maravi Post on Monday, HRCC Board Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba described the trend as “shockingly sad,” noting that many people are taking their own lives due to pressures ranging from marital problems to severe financial stress.

Mkwezalamba said Malawi continues to face a serious shortage of psychosocial experts, leaving many citizens without access to timely and affordable counselling services.

He urged the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare to step up recruitment of social workers and ensure they are deployed nationwide with specialized training in psychosocial support.

“Times are getting hard each passing moment hence more Malawians need counselling on various aspects of their lives, but the services are simply not available or accessible where people live,” he said.

Mkwezalamba also linked the increase in suicides to financial distress associated with informal lending schemes, commonly known as banki nkhonde.

He said the popularity of such schemes reflects deeper failures within the formal financial system.

“Our financial institutions have focused on profits and ignored the real needs of their customers”

“This has forced people into loose and unregulated financial support systems that offer easy access to money but little protection when someone defaults,” he said.

He explained that many people are drawn to banki nkhonde because of their accessibility, flexible repayment methods, and the perceived understanding among members- advantages often lacking in mainstream banks.

However, when members fail to meet repayment obligations, the pressure and shame can become overwhelming.

HRCC has therefore appealed to banki nkhonde groups to exercise love, understanding and compassion, especially toward members who have consistently complied with their obligations but face temporary difficulties.

“If someone has been contributing all year and suddenly struggles, reasoninh must prevail. Preserving life and maintaining member’s integrity must come first,” Mkwezalamba said.

He suggested allowing such members to roll over into the next cycle and clear their debts within three to six months, warning that “with death, the whole group loses, but managing a defaulter gives them a chance to recover what was due!.”

He further emphasized the importance of due diligence at the start of each savings cycle, including seeking consent from spouses or next of kin, to ensure families can be engaged early when challenges arise.

“Many people suffer in silence because they fear embarrassment or bringing shame to their families. If one cannot own up to debts, it is better not to join such groups,” he advised.

Mkwezalamba urged Malawians to rethink the expectations surrounding Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He cautioned against excessive spending driven by the desire to impress others.

“December is just like any other month,we still have rentals, utility bills, salaries to pay, and January comes with school fees and many other demands. No one has ever died for not having a fan or lavish celebrations during Christmas,”he said.

He called on citizens to live within their means, plan ahead, and use the festive season as a time for reflection and prayer rather than accumulating debt.

“Let us choose simple living, compassion and understanding,”

“That way, we can save lives and enter the new year with hope, not despair.”Mkwezalamba said.

The Maravi Post