The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the increasing number of suicides worldwide, particularly among young people.
According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, suicide has become the third leading cause of death globally among youth.
Over 700,000 lives are lost to suicide each year, with 73% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds worldwide and the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally.
Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are significant risk factors for suicide. Other factors include substance abuse, bullying, family violence, and social isolation.
Four out of five individuals considering suicide give some sign of their intentions, either verbally or behaviorally.
WHO emphasizes the importance of investing in mental health support and reducing stigma around mental health issues.
“Noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, include seven of the world’s top ten causes of death, including cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.
In addition, more than one billion people face mental health conditions, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people.
Apart from cutting lives short and robbing families of their loved ones, these deaths also incur huge costs for health systems and economies” Ghebreyesus made it known in a video message on Friday September 19.
Governments and healthcare systems can play a crucial role in preventing suicides by providing accessible and effective mental health services.
In Nigeria, the suicide mortality rate stands at 3.5 per 100,000 people, translating to an estimated 15,000 deaths annually. The WHO urges governments to take decisive action against noncommunicable diseases and mental health challenges, warning that inaction will cost millions of lives and strain global economies.
