FIRST WHO REPORT ON SUICIDE PREVENTION
More than 800 000 people die by suicide every year – around one
person every 40 seconds, according to WHO's first global report on suicide
prevention, published today. Some 75% of suicides occur in low- and
middle-income countries.
Pesticide poisoning, hanging and firearms are among the most
common methods of suicide globally. Evidence from Australia, Canada, Japan, New
Zealand, the United States and a number of European countries reveals that
limiting access to these means can help prevent people dying by suicide.
Another key to reducing deaths by suicide is a commitment by national
governments to the establishment and implementation of a coordinated plan of
action. Currently, only 28 countries are known to have national suicide
prevention strategies.
Suicide
is a global phenomenon
Suicide occurs all over the world and can take place at almost any
age. Globally, suicide rates are highest in people aged 70 years and over. In
some countries, however, the highest rates are found among the young. Notably,
suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds globally.
“This report is a call for action to address a large public health
problem which has been shrouded in taboo for far too long” said Dr Margaret
Chan, Director-General of WHO.
Generally, more men die by suicide than women. In richer
countries, three times as many men die by suicide than women. Men aged 50 years
and over are particularly vulnerable.
In low- and middle-income countries, young adults and elderly
women have higher rates of suicide than their counterparts in high-income
countries. Women over 70 years old are more than twice as likely to die by
suicide than women aged 15-29 years.
Suicides
are preventable
Reducing access to means of suicide is one way to reduce deaths.
Other effective measures include responsible reporting of suicide in the media,
such as avoiding language that sensationalizes suicide and avoiding explicit
description of methods used, and early identification and management of mental
and substance use disorders in communities and by health workers in particular.
Follow-up care by health workers through regular contact,
including by phone or home visits, for people who have attempted suicide,
together with provision of community support, are essential, because people who
have already attempted suicide are at the greatest risk of trying again.
“No matter where a country
currently stands in suicide prevention”, said Dr Alexandra Fleischmann,
Scientist in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO,
“effective measures can be taken, even just starting at local level and on a
small-scale”.
WHO recommends countries involve a range of government departments
in developing a comprehensive coordinated response. High-level commitment is
needed not just within the health sector, but also within education,
employment, social welfare and judicial departments.
“This report, the first WHO publication of its kind, presents a
comprehensive overview of suicide, suicide attempts and successful suicide
prevention efforts worldwide. We know what works. Now is the time to act,” said
Dr Shekhar Saxena, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance
Abuse at WHO.
The report’s launch comes just a week before World Suicide
Prevention Day, observed on 10 September every year. The Day provides an
opportunity for joint action to raise awareness about suicide and suicide
prevention around the world.
Working
towards a global target
In the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020, WHO Member States
have committed themselves to work towards the global target of reducing the
suicide rate in countries by 10% by 2020. WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action
Programme, launched in 2008, includes suicide prevention as a priority and
provides evidence-based technical guidance to expand service provision in
countries.
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