By Blessing David
The World Health Organization WHO has commended stakeholders for their combined efforts towards suicide prevention just as it remains a global health threat.
Dr Walter Mulombo, WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, said this in a message to commemorate the 2022 World Suicide Prevention Day.
Every year, the World Suicide Prevention Day is commemorated on the 10th of September and this is aimed at raising the much needed awareness that suicide is preventable. This year’s theme is “Creating hope through action” which serves as a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide.
He said that this year’s theme also inspires confidence aims to empower individuals to be in charge of their lives and value the one life they have by creating hope through actions that will highlight the importance of setting suicide prevention as a priority public health agenda by countries, particularly where access to mental health services and availability of evidence-based interventions are already low.
WHO uses the opportunity to remind everyone that suicide continues to remain a serious public health concern with a profound impact on all just as it is estimated that over 700,000 people commit suicide annually with 77% of all global suicides occurring in low-and-middle-income countries.
“For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds. Every case of suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire country and it has long-lasting effects on the people left behind”.
He said Suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions, as such, for national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multisectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed.
WHO pledge to continue supporting the country to implement priority activities towards mental health including suicide prevention and control stressing that In the coming weeks, it will be supporting the review and update of the 2013 National Mental Health Policy, development of a national framework for suicide prevention and commemoration of the 2022 World Mental Health Day.
In conclusion, together, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide, and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide in our country and inadvertently around the world.
He emphasized that all countries can play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide whether as a member of society by creating hope through action and be the light.