Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, which is marked every year on September 10, which is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “each lost life leaves a deep impact on families, friends, colleagues and entire communities”.
All age groups are affected by suicide and were the third cause of death among the 15 to 29 year olds worldwide in 2021, last year for which data was collected by WHO.
Suicide does not only occur in high -income countries and has an impact on all regions of the world.
Almost three -quarters of world suicides have occurred in low -income and intermediate income countries in 2021.
The average number of suicides worldwide in 2021 was 8.9 per 100,000 people.
In Africa, the figure was 11.5, while in Europe and Southeast Asia, the number of suicides was recorded at 10.1 per 100,000 people.
Globally, the lowest suicide rate was in the eastern Mediterranean region at 4.0 per 100,000, while in the Western Pacific, it was 7.5 per 100,000.
Who is at risk?
The link between suicide and mental disorders, in particular depression and alcohol consumption disorders, and a previous suicide attempt is well established in high income countries.
However, many suicides occur impulsively in times of crisis with a rupture of the ability to deal with the stress of life, such as financial problems, relational disputes or chronic pain and pain.
In addition, the experience of conflicts, disasters, violence, abuses or losses and a feeling of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behavior.
Suicide rates are also raised among vulnerable groups who suffer from discrimination, such as refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, intersex (LGBTI) and imprisoned prisoners.
Go from silence to the opening
“”We must move from silence to the opening, from stigmatization to empathy and neglect to support“Said Dr. Tedros.
“We have to create environments where people feel safe to speak and ask for help,” he said.
“The displacement of the narrative on suicide also means stimulating systemic change, where governments prioritize and invest in quality mental health care and policies to guarantee that everyone obtains the support they need.”
According to the WHO WHO WHO report in 2024, government median expenditure in mental health has remained at a modest 2% of the total health budgets since 2017.
In addition, there is a significant disparity between high and low -income nations. While high income nations allocate up to $ 65 per person with mental health, low -income nations spend as little as $ 0.04.
Which recognizes mental health as a universal human right.
Effective prevention measures
Who says that there are effective measures that can be taken to prevent suicide and self -harm.
Live Life, the agency’s initiative in suicide prevention, recommends the main effective interventions based on following evidence:
- limit access to suicide means (for example, pesticides, firearms, certain drugs);
- Interact with the media for a responsible declaration of suicide;
- promote socio-emotional life skills in adolescents;
- Identify, assess, manage and follow any person affected by suicidal behavior early.
