Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide: WHO

Pointing out that suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, WHO sets new guidelines to help countries in their suicide prevention efforts.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 19 Jun 2021, 2:34 am

(Representational Image: Unsplash)
(Representational Image: Unsplash)

 

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of over 3.8 million worldwide since January 11, the day China reported its first known death due to the virus infection–a 61-year-old man. However, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, according to the WHO’s latest estimates. In view of it, the WHO has set new suicide prevention approach.

The WHO released its new guidance to prevent suicide entitled “Suicide worldwide in 2019” on June 17. The release states that every year, more people die as a result of suicide than HIV, malaria or breast cancer  ̶  or war and homicide.

In 2019 alone, over 700 000 people died by suicide: one in every 100 deaths, prompting WHO to produce a new guidance and approach to help countries improve suicide prevention and care. Among young people aged 15-29, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death after road injury, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence, the WHO states.

“We cannot – and must not – ignore suicide,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

“Each one is a tragedy. Our attention to suicide prevention is even more important now, after many months living with the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of the risk factors for suicide   ̶   job loss, financial stress and social isolation – still very much present. The new guidance that WHO is releasing today provides a clear path for stepping up suicide prevention efforts,” he added.

Suicide rates vary, between countries, regions, and between males and females.

The WHO release states that more than twice as many males die due to suicide as females (12.6 per 100 000 males compared with 5.4 per 100 000 females). Suicide rates among men are generally higher in high-income countries (16.5 per 100 000). For females, the highest suicide rates are found in lower-middle-income countries (7.1 per 100 000).

Suicide rates in the WHO African (11.2 per 100 000), European (10.5 per 100 000) and South-East Asia (10.2 per 100 000) regions were higher than the global average (9.0 per 100 000) in 2019. The lowest suicide rate was in the Eastern Mediterranean region (6.4 per 100 000).

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Suicide rates fell in the 20 years between 2000 and 2019, with the global rate decreasing by 36 per cent, with decreases ranging from 17 per cent in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to 47 per cent in the European Region and 49 per cent in the Western Pacific. But in the Americas Region, rates increased by 17 per cent in the same time period, the WHO states.

Despite the high suicide rates, the WHO points out that too many countries remain uncommitted to suicide prevention. It says that currently only 38 countries are known to have a national suicide prevention strategy. A significant acceleration in the reduction of suicides is needed to meet the SDG target of a one-third reduction in the global suicide rate by 2030.

LIVE LIFE to Prevent Suicide

To support countries in their efforts, WHO has implemented LIVE LIFE to suicide prevention. The four strategies of this approach are:

1. Limiting access to the means of suicide, such as highly hazardous pesticides and firearms;

2. Educating the media on responsible reporting of suicide;

3. Fostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and

4. Early identification, assessment, management and follow-up of anyone affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

Banning of the most dangerous pesticides: a high-impact intervention

Given that pesticide poisoning is estimated to cause 20 per cent of all suicides, and national bans of acutely toxic, highly hazardous pesticides have shown to be cost-effective, such bans are recommended by WHO. Other measures include restricting access to firearms, reducing the size of medication packages, and installing barriers at jump sites.

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Responsible reporting by the media

The guide highlights the role the media plays in relation to suicide. Media reports of suicide can lead to a rise in suicide due to imitation (or copycat suicides) – especially if the report is about a celebrity or describes the method of suicide.

The new guide advises monitoring of the reporting of suicide and suggests that media counteract reports of suicide with stories of successful recovery from mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts. It also recommends working with social media companies to increase their awareness and improve their protocols for identifying and removing harmful content.

Support for adolescents

Adolescence (10-19 years of age) is a critical period for acquiring socio-emotional skills, particularly since half of mental health conditions appear before 14 years of age. The LIVE LIFE guidance encourages actions including mental health promotion and anti-bullying programmes, links to support services and clear protocols for people working in schools and universities when suicide risk is identified.

Early identification and follow-up of people at risk

Early identification, assessment, management and follow-up applies to people who have attempted suicide or are perceived to be at risk. A previous suicide attempt is one of the most important risk factors for a future suicide.

Health-care workers should be trained in early identification, assessment, management and follow-up. Survivors’ groups of people bereaved by suicide can complement support provided by health services. Crisis services should also be available to provide immediate support to individuals in acute distress.

“While a comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy should be the ultimate goal for all governments, starting suicide prevention with LIVE LIFE interventions can save lives and prevent the heartbreak that follows for those left behind,” said Dr Alexandra Fleischmann, suicide prevention expert at the WHO.

 

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WHOdeathsuicideTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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