In a stark revelation, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported Tuesday that more than one in every 100 deaths globally is attributed to suicide. This alarming statistic underscores a growing mental health crisis, particularly among the youth.
Despite a gradual decline in suicide rates over recent years, the pace of improvement remains inadequate. According to the WHO, 2021 witnessed approximately 727,000 suicides worldwide. “Globally, suicide accounts for more than one in every 100 deaths, with each death leaving behind about 20 failed attempts,” said Devora Kestel, the interim head of WHO’s non-communicable disease and mental health department.
The deaths have far-reaching effects, impacting countless others as friends, family, and caregivers struggle to manage subsequent hardships. The WHO’s World Mental Health Today report highlights that suicide continues to be a leading cause of death among young people, transcending both geographical and socioeconomic boundaries.
In 2021, suicide was identified as the second leading cause of death for females aged 15 to 29 and the third for males in the same age range. Although the global age-adjusted suicide rate saw a 35% decline from 2000 to 2021, it falls short of the target reduction by 2030, pointing to a mere 12% decrease at the current trajectory.
This slow progression has been described by WHO as ‘stagnation’. While most regions saw a decline in suicide rates, the Americas experienced a 17% increase during the period. Notably, about three-quarters of all suicides occur in lower-income countries, where the majority of the world’s population resides.
Wealthier countries report higher suicide rates proportionate to their populations, but the data may appear skewed due to better reporting capabilities. The organization also raised concerns over rising mental health issues such as anxiety and depression despite a drop in suicide rates.
Over the past decade, mental disorders have increased faster than the global population, affecting over one billion people, WHO reported. Particularly worrisome is the escalating distress among young individuals. WHO suggests that social media and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic play significant roles in this increase.
Alarmingly, investment in mental health services has stagnated globally, with only 2% of health budgets allocated to mental health since 2017. Only 9% of people suffering from depression receive treatment worldwide. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus dubbed transforming mental health services as “one of the most pressing public health challenges.”
The organization stresses that without substantial changes, the world risks continuing to fall short of its mental health goals, leaving millions without necessary support.
