A major new report from the World Health Organization has discovered that suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds globally. 

“Preventing suicide: a global imperative” is the first WHO report of its kind. It aims to increase awareness of the public health significance of suicide and suicide attempts, to make suicide prevention a higher priority on the global public health agenda.

The report states that over 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, about one in four people. However, since suicide is a sensitive issue, and even illegal in some countries, it is very likely that it is under-reported.

In richer countries, three times as many men die of suicide than women do, but in low and middle-income countries the male-to-female ratio is much lower at 1.5 men to each woman.

Significantly, the report discovered that a prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population.

The WHO suggests that health-care services need to incorporate suicide prevention as a core component. Mental disorders and harmful use of alcohol contribute to many suicides around the world. Early identification and effective management are key to ensuring that people receive the care they need.

Ireland in particular had high suicide rates with 16.9% in every 100,000 males taking their own life as opposed to 5.2% out of 100,000.

To read the full report, you can log on here.

If you are affected by any of the above information, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123.