Suicide and self-harm

Every 2 minutes, 3 people die due to suicide. By working together at the community level, we can prevent suicide and self-harm through awareness, intervention, and support systems.

746,000 deaths by suicide occurred globally in 2023, ranking it as the #21 cause of death – more than HIV.

519,000 suicide deaths in 2021 occurred in men, while 227,000 were in women.

47 was the average age when people died by suicide in 2021.

10% of male and 3% of female suicide deaths are by gun in 2021.

What strategies can be used for suicide prevention?

Suicide and suicide attempts are preventable at the community level through awareness, intervention, and support systems. Suicide prevention is most effective when communities work together to create a supportive environment that reduces risk factors and strengthens protective factors.

Raise awareness and reduce stigma

Education and mental health awareness: Conduct public awareness campaigns to normalize discussions about mental health and suicide prevention. Train teachers, employers, and community leaders to recognize warning signs and offer support.
Address cultural barriers and stigma: Encourage open conversations to challenge harmful beliefs about seeking help. Promote the idea that mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness.

Strengthen mental health support systems

Improve access to mental health care: Offer free or low-cost counseling and therapy services in schools, workplaces, and community centers. Provide anonymous hotlines and online mental health support services.
Train gatekeepers (first responders, teachers, religious leaders, etc.): Equip local leaders, health care workers, and community members with suicide prevention training. Teach QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) or ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) to empower people to intervene.

Create safe and supportive environments

Strengthen social connections: Promote community-building activities, support groups, and peer networks to prevent isolation. Encourage family and workplace policies that support mental well-being.
Limit access to lethal means: Implement safety measures such as gun control laws, reducing access to pesticides, and securing medications. Encourage safe storage of firearms and potentially harmful substances.

Address root causes and risk factors

Support economic stability: Provide job training, financial aid, and housing support to reduce stress-related suicide risks. Offer crisis financial assistance programs for people in distress.
Reduce domestic violence and abuse: Strengthen protections for victims of domestic abuse, bullying, and discrimination. Provide shelters and legal support for people in unsafe situations.
Tackle substance abuse issues: Offer addiction treatment programs and community-based interventions. Educate people about the link between substance abuse and suicide risk.

Promote early intervention and crisis support

Encourage early mental health screening: Implement regular mental health check-ups in schools, workplaces, and healthcare centers. Train doctors and nurses to screen for depression, anxiety, and suicide risk.
Crisis intervention services: Establish suicide crisis hotlines and emergency mental health response teams. Train community members in suicide first aid so they know how to respond in a crisis.

Where have these interventions worked?

Australia: National suicide prevention strategy

Implemented a community-based mental health support system.
Launched suicide hotlines (Lifeline Australia, Beyond Blue) to provide 24/7 crisis support.
Trained healthcare workers, teachers, and police in suicide prevention techniques.
Restricted access to lethal means, such as reducing pack sizes of medications.

Japan: Comprehensive suicide prevention law

Recognized suicide as a national health issue and passed a law requiring government intervention.
Expanded access to mental health services and workplace counseling.
Addressed work-related stress and long working hours, a major suicide factor in Japan.
Installed barriers on train platforms and bridges to prevent impulsive suicides.

China and Sri Lanka: Pesticide ban and rural suicide prevention

Banned highly toxic pesticides, a common method of suicide in rural areas.
Created rural mental health programs to educate communities on depression and suicide prevention.

United Kingdom: Suicide prevention in prisons and cities

Installed suicide prevention barriers on bridges and railway stations in cities.
Developed suicide prevention programs in prisons, where suicide risk is high.
Promoted community mental health services and workplace well-being initiatives.