The World Health Organization's (WHO) Americas branch emphasised that suicide prevention must be prioritised after 18 months of the COVID-19 epidemic, ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10.
According to studies, the global crisis has worsened risk factors for suicide behaviour, such as job loss, trauma or abuse, mental health conditions, and impediments to health care access.
‘Urgent public health problem’
“Suicide is an urgent public health problem and its prevention must be a national priority,” said Renato Oliveira e Souza, the Pan American Health Organization's chief of the Mental Health Unit (PAHO).
“We need concrete action from all elements of society to put an end to these deaths, and for governments to create and invest in a comprehensive national strategy to improve suicide prevention and care,” he added.
Suicide is one in every 100 fatalities globally, making it the fourth highest cause of mortality among 15- to 29-year-olds, after road traffic accidents, TB, and interpersonal violence.
According to the World Health Organization, suicide kills more people each year than HIV, malaria, breast cancer, war, and homicide combined.
Warning signs
Talking about wanting to die, experiencing enormous guilt or humiliation, or feeling like a burden to others are some of the verbal or behavioural warning indicators for suicide. Other indicators include feeling empty, hopeless, trapped, or without a cause to live, as well as being exceedingly sad, nervous, agitated, or angry.
Researching ways to die, keeping away from friends, throwing away essential items, exhibiting significant mood swings, eating or sleeping too much or too little, and using drugs or alcohol more frequently are all examples of behavioural changes that can be warning indicators.
Anyone who notices warning symptoms of suicide in themselves or someone they know should seek treatment as soon as possible from a health care expert.
Hope through action
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) organises World Suicide Prevention Day, which is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The topic for this year is ‘Creating Hope through Action,' which emphasises the importance of taking collaborative action to address the problem.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, WHO recently released recommendations to encourage country efforts to reduce the worldwide suicide rate by one-third by 2030 (SDGs).
Limiting access to methods of suicide, such as firearms and pesticides, as well as early diagnosis, assessment, care, and follow-up of people with suicidal thoughts and behaviours, are all important prevention approaches.
Other initiatives include improving adolescent social-emotional skills and teaching the media on how to report about suicide in a responsible manner.
Follow the latest news on Google News
