When we talk about World Suicide Prevention Day, which is marked annually on September 10, WHO’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “every lost life lost an in -depth influence on families, friends, colleagues and whole communities.”
All age groups are influenced by suicide and were the third leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally in 2021, the last year when data is collected by whom.
Suicide does not only occur in high -income countries and affect all regions of the world.
Nearly three quarters of global suicide occurred in low and middle income countries in 2021.
The average number of suicides worldwide by 2021 was 8.9 per year. 100,000 people.
In Africa, the figure stood at 11.5, while the number of suicides in both Europe and Southeast Asia was registered at 10.1 per year. 100,000 people.
Globally, the lowest suicide rate in the eastern Mediterranean was 4.0 per year. 100,000, while in the Western Pacific it was 7.5 per year. 100,000.
Who is in danger?
The connection between suicide and mental disorders, especially depression and alcohol use disorders, and a previous suicide attempt is well established in high -income countries.
However, many suicides occur impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life tensions, such as financial problems, relations dispenses or chronic pain and illness.
In addition, the experience of conflict, disaster, violence, abuse or loss and a feeling of isolation is strongly associated with suicide behavior.
Suicide rates are also high among vulnerable groups experiencing discrimination, such as refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transcends, intersex (LGBTI) persons and imprisoned prisoners.
Moving from silence to openness
“We need to move from silence to openness, from stigma to empathy and from neglect to support“Said Dr. Tedros.
“We have to create environments where people feel safe to speak up and seek help,” he said.
“Change the story of suicide also means running systemic change, where governments prioritize and invest in quality of mental health and policies to ensure everyone gets the support they need.”
According to the 2024 Mental Health Atlas Report from WHO, Median Government spending on mental health has been on a modest 2 percent of the total health budgets since 2017.
There is also a significant difference between nations with high income and low income. While high -income countries award up to $ 65 per year. Person to mental health, using low -income countries as little as $ 0.04.
That recognizes mental health as a universal human right.
Effective prevention measures
Who says there are effective measures that can be taken to prevent suicide and self -injury.
Live Life, Agency’s initiative for suicide prevention, recommends the following central effective evidence -based interventions:
- limit access to suicide funds (eg pesticides, firearms, certain medications);
- Interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide;
- Foster Socio-Emotional Life Skills of Young People;
- Early identify, assess, control and follow up anyone who is influenced by suicide behavior.
