THE battle for our future is a fast-moving, high-stakes game of the mind, drawing its ancient wisdom from the earliest strategists.
It involves the intricate manoeuvre of the rook, knight, bishop, queen, king and pawn pieces that represent the very fabric of our society.
In this land, the head of State stands as the king on the board, his position one of singular responsibility and ultimate defence.
The alarm has been sounded—a clarion call against a destructive scourge: drug and substance abuse.
This threat, a relentless force, seeks to topple the foundational stability of our community. The king champions the fight, recognising that the most vulnerable assets are the youth, our precious pawns.
They are the front line, the future and the first to be exposed to the deadly grip of addiction.
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It is a risk factor that can tragically lead to suicidal ideation and behaviour, a complicated spectrum of actions and mental states linked to self-harm, which is both a grave mental health crisis and a pressing legal concern. As a community psychologist, I have witnessed the devastating impact of suicidal behaviour among teenagers in Zimbabwe. Suicide has become the third leading cause of death in our country.
The statistics are alarming, with over 6% of deaths in children aged 10-14 attributed to suicide.
In his book The Parenting Handbook Volume 1: Addressing Practical Issues in Parenting, Herbert Zirima gathered that," As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children do not get involved in drugs and substances like tobacco and alcohol.
Drugs and alcohol propel suicidal tendencies.
However, I've also seen the transformative power of chess in teaching life skills and promoting mental health. The chess game is more than just a recreational activity; it's a metaphor for life itself.
The two teams, black and white on a chessboard, represent the dichotomy of life and death in this context. White symbolises life, hope and positivity, while black represents threats to life, like drug and substance abuse, promiscuity and suicidal behaviour.
As teenagers navigate the adolescent challenges, they must choose to "play" life, embracing the values and skills that promote survival and success.
Chess teaches discipline, a critical life skill. Just like a pawn, which neither moves backwards nor diagonally unless it's capturing a piece, teenagers must learn to stay focused and avoid distractions that can lead them astray. The game also instils the importance of taking turns, respecting others and waiting for opportunities to arise to avoid stress and anxiety, which are also predisposing factors to suicidal ideation.
Queen, the most powerful piece on the board, represents the protective and nurturing role of parents and caregivers. Just as the queen safeguards the king and other pieces, parents and guardians must provide a supportive environment that fosters growth and development. Parenting is critical in preventing suicidal behaviour, and chess can be a valuable tool in teaching parents and teenagers alike the importance of protection, care and guidance.
The bishop, with its diagonal moves, represents the spiritual guidance and moral compass that Christian values provide. Archbishop Eunor Guti, mentioned in her book Challenges and Counselling of Today’s Youth that, “ Teenage drinking and drug addiction are urgent problems in many communities, resulting in pregnancies among numerous schoolgirls.”
Recently in the Glamis Arena, Ezekiel Guti University chancellor, Joseph Guti, highlighted the importance of a drug-free life in safeguarding our legacy, proclaiming, “We are making a bold statement in agreement with the government of Zimbabwe to say no to drug and substance abuse." Ezekiel Guti, in his book Control your Mind, wrote, "The problem is in your mind. Don't live in fear but in knowledge. If you don't know how to rule your mind you are not going to be stable."
The castle, or rook, represents the home environment, a place of safety and security, but can also be a source of stress and anxiety if not nurturing and supportive.
Creating safe and supportive home environments and schools, with teachers and psychologists as role models, can reduce suicidal ideation and promote mental health.
The knight represents the interconnectedness of human and animal relationships, highlighting the importance of ecological thinking in suicide prevention.
Promoting environmental awareness and connecting youth with nature can foster stewardship, helping to prevent suicidal behaviour, as prevention is better than cure.
In conclusion, the game of chess offers a powerful framework for understanding the complexities of suicidal behaviour among teenagers. We must join forces!
By working together, we can prevent suicidal behaviour and promote mental health among our youth, the future leaders of our motherland, Zimbabwe. Every citizen is a piece in this vital defence. To protect the pawns is to secure the king and to secure the king is to ensure the prosperous, unwavering future of the entire nation. The call to action is now: Defend the board. Secure the victory!