According to a world health organization (WHO) report, almost one million people die from suicide. It has a global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000. Among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years, suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide in the last 45 years. The major concern is the increasing rates of young people committing suicides, which traditionally have been highest among the elderly male.
Mental disorders, particularly depression and alcohol use disorders, are identified as major risk factors for suicide in Europe and North America. In Asian countries, impulsiveness plays an important role. It has psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors involved.
Along with the statistics, WHO raised concern of the prevention of suicide not been adequately addressed. The representatives of UN believe it is due to lack of awareness of suicide as a major problem and the taboo in many societies to discuss openly about it. At present, only a few countries have included prevention of suicide among their priorities.
They have called for the intervention from outside the health sector and a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach, including both health and non-health sectors (education, labour, police, justice, religion, law, politics and the media) to address the concern.
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