WHO Launches New Two Resources Designed to Strengthen Suicide Prevention Efforts

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) Launched two resources to enhance suicide prevention efforts. The first is "Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals" (2023 update), and the second is a policy brief on the health implications of decriminalizing suicide and suicide attempts.

According to WHO, suicide is a significant public health issue that affects over 700,000 people every year. It is the fourth leading cause of death for 15-29-year-olds, and the loss of each life has tragic consequences for families and entire communities.

Numerous social, economic, cultural, and psychological factors contribute to suicide, including the denial of basic human rights and access to resources, as well as stressful life events such as job loss or academic pressure, relationship problems, and discrimination.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals and the WHO Global Mental Health Action Plan have set a target to reduce the global suicide rate by one-third by 2030. Immediate action is necessary to achieve this goal, and countries have committed to concrete measures to make progress.

Dévora Kestel, Director of Mental Health and Substance Use at WHO, said: “Each death by suicide is a tragedy, and more must be done to strengthen suicide prevention. The resources launched by WHO today provide important guidance on two areas which are critical to suicide prevention efforts: decriminalization of suicide and suicide attempts and responsible reporting of suicide by the media.”