World Health Organization: One person commits suicide every 40 seconds

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. The World Health Organization says that 800,000 people commit suicide worldwide every year, but in many countries there is no room for preventive measures. Suicide rates in Iran are on the rise. 

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The Director-General of the World Health Organization says that developed countries have the highest suicide rate: "11.5 per 100,000 people."

The organization states that the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29 is suicide, with more young people losing their lives only in traffic accidents.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization reminds us that suicide is preventable and calls on governments of all countries to include proven solutions in their national programs to ensure the mental health of all members of society.

Easy access to firearms or deadly chemicals such as pesticides (rice tablets in Iran) is one of the factors that increase successful suicides. At the same time, the World Health Organization calls on governments to keep young people, in particular, away from stress and anxiety, and to care for people prone to suicide with compassion and patience.

The rising trend of suicide in Iran

The director of the suicide prevention program at the Iranian Ministry of Health's Mental Health Office says that the suicide rate has been increasing from 2015 to 2018: "Approximately 5 people per 100,000 population have committed suicide each year."

IRNA news agency quotes Maryam Abbasinejad as writing: "75 percent of suicide attempts are in the age group of 15 to 34, and about 50 percent of these cases are married."

The official from the Ministry of Health's Mental Health Office added that 73 percent of suicide attempts occur in urban and suburban areas, and 82 percent of suicide attempts are committed through drug overdose.

IRNA writes that Sistan and Baluchestan and South Khorasan have the lowest suicide rates among Iranian provinces, and this rate increases in western provinces and large cities.

Maryam Abbasinejad said that 95 percent of people who commit suicide have a psychiatric disorder, depression, or substance abuse disorders.

Source: DW