National strategy to curb suicide crucial

Chennai: Intervention from both health and non-health sectors on prevention of suicide is the need of the hour, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of World Health Organisation, South East Asia Region. In his message, she said, “Suicide is one among the top 20 leading causes of death globally in all ages. Every 40 seconds, a person commits suicide somewhere in the world.”

Mental illness, primarily depression and alcohol use disorders, abuse, violence, loss, cultural and social background are the major risk factors for suicide, he said.

Men commit suicide three times more than women in richer countries, while in low- and middle-income countries the ratio is 1.5 men to every woman. In most countries, suicide rates are the highest in people above 70 years, However, youngsters between 15 and 29 are also vulnerable, she added.

As prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed, the need of the hour is to create a national strategy and intervention from both health and non-health sectors. Follow-up care by health workers on people who have attempted suicide is important, as they are at great risk of trying again, she noted.