June 18, 2021

Andrew Campbell 

The World Health Organization (WHO) published a new research report on June 17 titled "Suicide globally in 2019," which found that suicide remained one of the major causes of death worldwide. In 2019, suicide claimed more lives than HIV/AIDS, malaria, breast cancer, war, and homicide. According to the WHO, more than 700,000 people, or one in every 100, died by suicide in 2019. Earlier this year, the United Nations' health agency released new “LIVE LIFE: an implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries” guidelines, to assist countries in reducing that suicide rate by a third by 2030.

This LIVE LIFE guide details the practical aspects of implementing four evidence-based interventions for suicide prevention, as well as six cross-cutting pillars that are fundamental for implementation. This guidance encourages governments to pursue actions to safeguard the lives of people who are in a state of acute suffering and are on the verge of committing suicide. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stressed that governments alone cannot prevent suicide. Each of us has a responsibility to play in keeping an eye on our friends, relatives, and coworkers and offering assistance when we believe they are in need.

According to the report "Suicide Globally in 2019," more than 700,000 people die by suicide each year around the world. Suicide is the fourth highest cause of mortality in those aged 15 to 29. The global average of suicide rates in 2019 is 9.0 per 100,000 people; however, that number has risen to 11.2 in Africa, 10.5 in Europe, and 10.2 in Southeast Asia. The Eastern Mediterranean region had the lowest rate, at 6.4 percent.

This "Suicide Globally in 2019" brochure delivers crucial information targeting audiences including academic researchers, development agencies, the general public, health workers, journalists, nonprofit groups, and policymakers. The United Nations' health organization urges governments to stop suicide and avoid the anguish that would befall those who are left behind.

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