SUICIDE A GLOBAL CONCERN

Tanaka Mahanya

THE World Health Organisation has said in every 40 seconds, someone commits suicide.

This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, which was commemorated globally yesterday, calls for communities and families to raise awareness on suicide in relation to mental health.

Zimbabwe has not been spared.

WHO said more than 700 000 people commit suicide every year.

“For each suicide, there are likely more than 20 suicide attempts.

“It was the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2019.

“While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) and a previous suicide attempt is well established, particularly in high-income settings, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis.

“Further risk factors include experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, a relationship break-up, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and conflict or other humanitarian emergencies.

Suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect that impacts on families, friends, colleagues, communities and societies.

“Much can be done to prevent suicide at individual, community and national levels.”