STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The World Health Organization (WHO) last week released a comprehensive guide to help bring down the global rate of suicide, which the international health body says is “a serious global public health issue.”
Currently, one out of every 100 deaths are by suicide, the WHO said. It is estimated that more than 700,000 people killed themselves in 2019 and as many as 20 times that total attempted suicide. For people between the ages of 15 to 29, suicide is the fourth-leading cause of death.
The WHO set a worldwide goal to reduce the suicide rate by one-third by 2030 and promoted a program, “LIVE LIFE,” to help reach the ambitious target. Its efforts come amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which caused unprecedented health, social and fiscal concerns.
“We cannot – and must not – ignore suicide,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO. “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.”
What to do if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The WHO guidance includes four strategies to approach suicide prevention, including limiting access to the means of suicide, educating the media on responsible reporting, fostering socio-emotional skills in adolescents and early identification of those with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Around 20% of all suicides are caused by pesticide poisoning, according to the WHO, and the organization said national bans of acutely toxic pesticides should be put in place, along with restrictions to access of firearms, reductions to the size of medication packages and installation of barriers at jump sites.
Media reports — especially those about prominent figures or those that include the method of suicide — could lead to a rise in imitation, according to the WHO, and the guidance advises outlets counteract reports of suicide with stories of successful recovery and recommends news agencies work with social media companies to increase awareness and improve protocols for identifying and removing harmful content.
People between the ages of 10 and 19, the WHO said, are at a critical point for acquiring socio-emotional skills, and the “LIVE LIFE” guidance encourages actions including mental health promotion and anti-bullying programs to address this important time period. Experts have expressed alarm, particularly regarding young children, at the potential effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on mental health.
The final pillar of the guidance — early identification, assessment, management and follow-up — involves people who attempted suicide or are perceived to be at risk, the WHO said, since a previous suicide attempt is a major risk factor for future suicide.
“While a comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy should be the ultimate goal for all governments,” said Dr. Alexandra Fleischmann, WHO suicide prevention expert, “starting suicide prevention with LIVE LIFE interventions can save lives and prevent the heartbreak that follows for those left behind.”
While suicide rates have dropped globally over the past two decades, those levels have increased in the Americas by 17% during the same span, according to the WHO.
Additionally, suicide rates vary drastically by country and by sex. More than twice as many males die due to suicide compared to women, and suicide rates by men are generally higher in high-income countries. However, suicide rates are highest for women in lower-middle-income countries.
“Although some countries have placed suicide prevention high on their agendas, too many countries remain uncommitted,” the WHO said. “Currently only 38 countries are known to have a national suicide prevention strategy.”
The WHO said a “significant acceleration in the reduction of suicides is needed” to reach the sustained development goals of the United Nations.
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