Broke By Design Club: Prevention Month

Overview + Stats

More than 720 000 people die by suicide every year. For each suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts. Suicide can occur at any stage of life and in all regions of the world. In 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally, and 73% of all suicides happened in low- and middle-income countries. Almost 20% of global suicides were due to pesticide self-poisoning.

While the link between suicide and mental health conditions (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) and a previous suicide attempt is well established in high-income countries, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Further risk factors for suicide include experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, relationship dispute, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and conflict or other humanitarian emergencies.

Prevention

Much can be done at individual, community and national levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts.

WHO’s LIVE LIFE approach recommends four effective, evidence-based key interventions which should be included in
every national response to suicide:
limit access to the means of suicide
interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide
foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents
early identify, assess, manage and follow up anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviours. The foundational pillars of the interventions are situation analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness raising, capacity building, financing, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.

Suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors, including health, education, labour, agriculture, business, justice, law, defence, politics and the media. Suicide prevention is often not adequately addressed because of stigma and lack of awareness that suicide is a major public health problem.

#ItsOKToTalk