One in 100 deaths is by suicide, says WHO
The World Health Organization said one in 100 deaths is by suicide and it is a leading cause of death worldwide, especially for young people aged 15-29.
WHO reports every year that over one million people die by suicide than HIV, malaria, breast cancer or war and homicide. In 2019, more than 700,000 people died by suicide which is one in every 100 deaths.
The World Health Organisation, Director-General,Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “We cannot and must not ignore suicide.
“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 and to help countries improve suicide prevention and care.
Suicide was the fourth leading cause of death after road injury, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence, but noted that rates vary, between countries, regions, and between males and females.
“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.
“Globally, the suicide rate is decreasing but in the Americas, it is going up,” WHO said.
The World Health Organization said, some countries have placed suicide prevention high on their agendas, too many countries remain uncommitted.
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.
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