WHO Report 2021: Suicide Accounts for Over 1 in 100 Global Deaths with 7.27 Lakh Cases.
International
A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report reveals that in 2021, an estimated 727,000 people died by suicide worldwide—accounting for more than 1% of total global deaths. The report underscores an urgent need for action, particularly to protect young people, for whom suicide remains a leading cause of death.
- The WHO’s “Suicide Worldwide in 2021: Global Health Estimates” fact sheet highlights that suicide was the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–29, placing it among the most pressing public health concerns for young audiences globally.
- Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bore the brunt of the suicide burden, accounting for nearly 73% of all suicide deaths in 2021. This disparity signals a pressing need for enhanced mental health infrastructure and services in resource-constrained settings.
- While there has been a modest decline in the global age-standardized suicide rate, from 9.0 per 100,000 in 2019 to 8.9 in 2021, progress remains insufficient. At this pace, meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.4.2—intending a one-third reduction in suicide mortality by 2030—is in jeopardy. Current trends suggest only about a 12% reduction by that deadline.
Main Point :- (i) WHO emphasizes that for each suicide death, there are approximately 20 suicide attempts, illustrating the widespread emotional distress affecting families and communities worldwide. Devora Kestel, interim head of WHO’s Mental Health and Noncommunicable Diseases division, voiced deep concern over this growing crisis.
(ii) Recognizing these trends, WHO calls for urgent, multisectoral action—particularly focused on young people, who remain disproportionately affected. This includes improving mental health services, fostering community awareness, and preventing risk factors for vulnerable youth.
Deputy Director General : Michael Ryan
Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
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