Suicide Through Numbers

Module 1: Introduction To Suicide Prevention

Suicide Through Numbers

1. In this section, we’ll explore how common suicide is around the world, the differences insuicide rates between genders, and how these rates change over time.

2. Suicide is a significant public health issue, and despite many efforts to prevent it in recentdecades, it remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Each year, over 700,000 people die by suicide, according to the World Health Organization, which means one life is lost every 40 seconds. For every death by suicide, about 20 suicide attempts occur among adults.

3. When discussing suicide statistics, we can use either absolute numbers or the suicide mortality rate, which shows how many people die by suicide per 100,000 inhabitants. Globally, the suicide mortality rate was 9.2 in 2019. However, there are significant differences between genders, with men being twice as likely to die by suicide compared to women. This gender gap is most pronounced in high-income countries, where men are up to three times more likely to die by suicide. However, women are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and attempt suicide without fatal outcomes. Understanding these differences is crucial for providing tailored support and care.

4. Most suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, where about three-quarters of all suicides were recorded in 2021. These regions often face barriers such as limited access to mental health services, social stigma around seeking help, and economic stressors that increase vulnerability to suicidal behaviors. Addressing suicide prevention in these areas is critical to reducing the global burden of suicide.

5. Although global suicide rates are declining, this trend is not universal and may reflect better data collection in some regions. In many parts of the world, suicide is heavily stigmatized and even criminalized, leading to underreporting or misclassification. Therefore, actual suicide rates may be higher than reported, emphasizing the need for educational and respectful conversations on the topic.