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Suicide rates increased by 60 percent worldwide in last 45-years – WHO
– second leading cause of death in the 10-24 age group
Every year, almost one million people die from suicide; a ‘global’ mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Suicide Pills
The health organisation noted that in the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased by 60 percent worldwide. Suicide is among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years in some countries, and the second leading cause of death in the 10-24 year age group.
These figures do not include suicide attempts which are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide.
Experts say suicide is complex with psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors involved in a person’s decision to commit such an act.
Statistics revealed that suicide worldwide is estimated to represent 1.8 percent of the total global burden of disease in 1998, and 2.4 percent in countries with market and former socialist economies in 2020.
It was noted that although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among the male elderly, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of countries, in both developed and developing countries.
The WHO stated worldwide, the prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due to basically a lack of awareness of suicide as a major problem and the taboo in many societies to discuss openly about it. In fact, only a few countries have included prevention of suicide among their priorities.
The health organisation further states that the reliability of suicide certification and reporting is an issue in great need of improvement.
In addition it is clear that suicide prevention requires intervention also from outside the health sector and calls for an innovative, comprehensive multi-sectoral approach, including both health and non-health sectors, such as: education, labour, police, justice, religion, law, politics, and media.
Under the theme ‘Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies’ World Suicide Prevention Day 2011 was observed last Saturday in promoting worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.
Local Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said on the event of World Suicide Prevention Day, that within the last three years the number of suicides average 160-170. He asserted that there has been a decrease and enormous amount of work is done in the past decade leading to some reduction in the number of cases.
Dr. Ramsammy said that the Health Ministry has taken several courses of action to reduce the occurrence of suicide in Guyana. He added that counseling is provided for persons who attempted to commit suicide in hospitals, clinics, and at homes.
In most instances, whenever a person attempts suicide they do not want to die but in a moment of weakness the person caves.
He said that it is anticipated that in the coming years the Ministry will expand these sessions and link families with community groups, mainly the church.
The day dedicated to this observance is used to disseminating information, improving education and training, and decreasing stigmatization are important tasks in raising awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.
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