Suicide kills one person worldwide every 40 seconds, WHO report finds

A major report on suicide prevention by the World Health Organisation has found that 800,000 people die by suicide every year - that’s one person every 40 seconds. The report, the first of its kind by WHO, recommends governments adopt a coordinated response to the issue of suicide, incorporating sectors from health to education to social welfare. Only 28 countries were found to have national suicide prevention strategies. The report notes that suicide is a global phenomenon, varying from country to country due to factors such as socioeconomic status, but it is preventable.

This report is a call for action to address a large public health problem which has been shrouded in taboo for far too long.

Dr Margaret Chan, WHO’s director-general

While WHO noted reducing access to the means of suicide is one method, it can also involve responsible media reporting, identification of potential issues by health workers and by “essential” follow-up contact for those who have attempted suicide, combined with community support. The report found that suicide rates are highest in those aged 70 and over - in low- and middle-income countries, women over 70 are twice as likely to die by suicide than those in younger age brackets - but that it is also the second-leading cause of death in young adults aged between 15 and 29.

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