World Suicide Prevention Day 2019: Working Together to Prevent Suicide!

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed every year on 10 September, WSPD is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and co-sponsored by World Health Organization. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. The Slogan for the year 2019 is ”Working Together to Prevent” Suicide.

Key Facts

• Over 800,000 people die by suicide annually, representing 1 person every 40 seconds
• Suicide is the 15th leading cause of death globally, account for 1.4% of all deaths and The global suicide rate is 11.4 per 100 000 population. (15.0/100 000 for males & 8.0/100 000 for females)
• Suicide is the leading cause of death in people aged 15-24 in many European countries
• Globally suicide rates among this age group are higher in males than females
• Self-harm largely occurs among older adolescents, and globally is the 2nd leading cause of death for older adolescent girls
• In 2012, 76% of global suicide occurred in low- and middle-income countries 39% of which occurred in the South-East Asia Region
• In 25 countries (within WHO member states) suicide is currently still criminalized
• In an additional 20 countries suicide attempters may be punished with jail sentences, according to Sharia law.
• Suicide is the result of a convergence of risk factors including but not limited to genetic, psychological, social and cultural risk factors, sometimes combined with experiences of trauma and loss
• Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in people who die by suicide
• 50% of individuals in high income countries who die by suicide have major depressive disorder at their time of death
• For every 1 suicide 25 people make a suicide attempt
• 135 people are affected by each suicide death
• This equates to 108 million people bereaved by suicide worldwide every year.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention strategies aim to prevent suicide among targeted high-risk groups but also at a universal level. Effective suicide prevention strategies need to incorporate public health policy strategies and healthcare strategies, incorporating measure with the strongest evidence of efficacy such as:

• Restriction of access to lethal means
• Treatment of depression
• Ensuring chain of care, and
• School-based universal prevention

More Information: IASP

---

#आत्महत्यारोकथामदिवस