More than 720,000 people commit suicide every year, and many more attempt it, the World Health Organisation has said.

The director-general of WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus, is calling for “shifting the narrative” on the issue “to challenge harmful myths, reduce stigma and foster compassionate conversations.”

Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, which is marked annually on September 10, Tedros said “each life lost leaves a profound impact on families, friends, colleagues and entire communities”.

All age groups are affected by suicide, and it was the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2021, the last year for which data has been gathered by WHO.

Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries and impacts all regions of the world.

Close to three-quarters of global suicides occurred in low and middle-income countries in 2021.

The average number of suicides across the world in 2021 was 8.9 per 100,000 people.

In Africa, the figure stood at 11.5, while in both Europe and Southeast Asia, the number of suicides was recorded at 10.1 per 100,000 people.

The link between suicide and mental disorders, in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders, and a previous suicide attempt is well established in high-income countries.

However, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship disputes, or chronic pain and illness.

In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss, and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour.

Suicide rates are also high among vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons, and incarcerated prisoners.

“We must move from silence to openness, from stigma to empathy, and from neglect to support,” Mr Tedros said. “We must create environments where people feel safe to speak up and seek help.”

He added, “Shifting the narrative on suicide also means driving systemic change, where governments prioritise and invest in quality mental health care and policies to ensure everyone gets the support they need.”

According to the 2024 Mental Health Atlas report by the WHO, median government spending on mental health has remained at a modest two percent of total health budgets since 2017.

Moreover, there is a significant disparity between high-income and low-income nations. Whilst high-income nations allocate up to $65 per person to mental health, low-income nations spend as little as $0.04.

WHO recognises mental health as a universal human right. WHO stated that there were effective measures that can be taken to prevent suicide and self-harm.

LIVE LIFE, the agency’s initiative for suicide prevention, recommends limiting access to the means of suicide (eg, pesticides, firearms, certain medications).

It also recommended interaction with the media for responsible reporting of suicide.

Fostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents, early identification, assessment, management, and following up with anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviours are other effective measures, according to the WHO. 

(NAN)