World Health Organisation has revealed that suicide remains the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds with over 700,000 people take their own life which has profound and devastating effects on families and entire communities.
WHO disclosed this on Tuesday while launching two resources designed to strengthen suicide prevention efforts: Preventing suicide: one for media professionals 2023 update and a policy brief on the health aspects of decriminalization of suicide and suicide attempts.
Adding that suicide can be linked to multiple, complex, intersecting social, cultural, psychological factors and challenges, including the denial of basic human rights and access to resources as well as stressful life events like loss of livelihood, work or academic pressures, relationship breakdowns and discrimination, among others.
It stressed that reducing the global suicide rate by one third by 2030 is a target of both the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO Global Mental Health Action Plan, says urgent action is needed to meet the 2030 goal, and countries have committed to taking concrete measures in this direction.
WHO Director of Mental Health and Substance Use, Dévora Kestel said that, “Each death by suicide is a tragedy, and more must be done to strengthen suicide prevention.
He added that the resources launched by WHO today will provide important guidance on two areas which are critical to suicide prevention efforts: decriminalisation of suicide and suicide attempts and responsible reporting of suicide by the media.
“Criminalizing suicide only serves to exacerbate people’s distress. The decriminalisation of suicide and suicide attempts is a critical step that governments can take in their efforts to prevent suicide. WHO is committed to supporting efforts to decriminalise suicide”, said Nathalie Drew Bold, WHO Technical Officer.
Meanwhile, there is overwhelming evidence that the media can play a significant role in strengthening or undermining suicide prevention efforts. For example, evidence shows that vulnerable persons (such as those with a history of suicide attempts or thoughts, or those exposed to suicide) are at an increased risk of engaging in imitative behaviours.
Following media reports of suicide – particularly if coverage is extensive, prominent, sensational, explicitly describes the method of suicide, makes suicide appear to be normal, or perpetuates widely-held myths about suicide. The resource offers guidance on how to ensure that reporting on suicide is accurate, responsible, and appropriate.
The resource also highlights increasing evidence that reporting focused on survival and resilience can lead to positive imitative behaviours and can contribute to suicide prevention. It also sets out guidance on how to report on stories on recovery and mental and emotional well-being.