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World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10, 2023
World Suicide Prevention Day

After three years, the world is just beginning to understand how the disruption, stress, and loneliness spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges and risk of suicide. Globally, over 700,000 people die by suicide every year, and for every suicide death, there are many more who attempt to take their own life. September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a day focused on raising awareness that suicide is preventable. As countries begin to grapple with the consequences of the pandemic, governments need to prioritize measures to prevent suicide at the individual, community, and national levels. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first World Suicide Prevention Day, established in 2003 as a joint initiative between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. According to the 2022 World Mental Health Report, progress in suicide prevention has caused global suicide rates to drop by 36% since 2000; however, suicides still account for 1 in every 100 deaths globally, representing the fourth leading cause of death in people aged 15-29 in 2019. 

In the U.S., ramping up suicide prevention is increasingly important—provisional data from the CDC shows that 2022 had the highest number of suicide deaths on record. This increase, largely driven by an increase in firearm suicides, continues a trend of rising suicide rates after modest declines in 2019 and 2020. The data shows that suicide rates in the U.S. are growing fastest among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) and Black people, rural populations, and younger people. A recent study showed that mental health emergency department visits for suicide-related behaviors among adolescents increased in 2022 compared to 2019—especially among adolescent girls. 

The WHO recommends the following evidence-based interventions for countries as part of the LIVE LIFE implementation guide for suicide prevention:

  • Limit access to the means of suicide, such as pesticides, firearms, and certain medications;
  • Interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicides;
  • Foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and
  • Early identification, assessment, management, and following up of anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviors.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to call or text 988, the U.S. National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to be connected to a local crisis center.
For more on mental health, suicide, and suicide prevention, access our resource pack on Global Mental Health and Addiction from the GHELI repository, and explore selected resources below.

Selected Resources