The call came as the world marked World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on September 10, an annual event co-sponsored by WHO and organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an alarm over the global burden of suicide, warning that more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year.
The call came as the world marked World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on September 10, an annual event co-sponsored by WHO and organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
WHO noted that suicide remains the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29, with nearly 73% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2021 alone, the organization reported that the impact was particularly severe among young people, underlining the urgent need for governments and communities to prioritize prevention.
17% Decline in Eastern Mediterranean Region
While suicide continues to pose a major public health challenge, WHO revealed that the Eastern Mediterranean Region has recorded a 17% decline in suicide rates since 2019.
Officials, however, cautioned that despite this progress, the numbers remain unacceptably high.
Experts say the stigma surrounding suicide prevents individuals from seeking timely help and also obstructs the development of evidence-based health and social care policies.
“For each suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts. Each life lost has profound social, emotional and economic consequences, deeply affecting families, friends, workplaces and communities,” WHO stated.
“The stigma surrounding suicide often prevents individuals from seeking help in a timely manner on one hand and hindering the development of evidence-based health and social care policies and services on the other.”
The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2024–2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
The campaign seeks to encourage open and honest conversations about suicide and mental health, dismantle stigma, and foster safe spaces for dialogue at individual, community, and policy levels.
To tackle the crisis, WHO’s LIVE LIFE initiative recommends proven interventions, including restricting access to common means of suicide such as pesticides, firearms, and certain medications; responsible media reporting of suicide cases; fostering socio-emotional skills among adolescents; and early identification, assessment, and follow-up for individuals at risk.
WHO stressed that these measures must be supported by multisectoral collaboration, awareness campaigns, capacity-building, funding, monitoring, and evaluation to be effective.
The agency called on governments worldwide to show a stronger commitment, describing suicide prevention as a public health priority that requires urgent, coordinated action.
“Changing the narrative on suicide can help by creating safe spaces to openly talk about promotion and protection of mental health and prioritizing suicide prevention as a public health issue,” WHO said.