Post date: Sep 4, 2014 11:06:42 AM
The World Health Organisation published the first ever World Suicide Report today in Geneva. The report highlights that more than 800,000 people die by suicide each year, that suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 years olds and that 75% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. The report also summarised the state of the science in terms of what we know about effective methods of preventing suicide.
Professor Rory O'Connor commented: "I really welcome the publication of the World Suicide Report. It shines an international light on the scale of the human tragedy of suicide. Across the globe, every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide and 20 more people attempt suicide. We all have a responsibility to prevent suicide, indeed everyone of us has a role to play in its prevention. Although we have made major advances in understanding the causes of suicide and have developed evidence of what works to prevent suicide, so much more remains to be done. Not least, we need to ensure that existing interventions to prevent suicide are implemented as a matter of urgency."
He added: "Suicide does not only affect people in the Western world, 75% of all suicides occur in low- to middle-income countries. We need to lobby international governments to prioritise suicide prevention across the globe by developing and implementing national suicide prevention strategies. We need to fight the stigma around mental health because sadly in some countries around the world suicide is still considered a criminal act and is highly stigmatised. National and international political leadership is vital to bring about change, to ensure that suicide prevention is prioritised and supported. Only through working together via coordinated action will we be effective in preventing suicide."
Link to details of the World Suicide Report can be found here.
Share this item