by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Suicide is the second leading cause of deaths among the age group of 15-29.
In a year, statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) find that close to 800,000 people (worldwide) die of suicide.
According to the 2015 statistics by WHO, 78 percent of the suicide deaths were from the low and middle income countries. And most of these deaths were among the ages of 15-29. This identifies suicide as the second leading cause of death among the age group 15-29.
This was also confirmed by the Office of the Census Commissioner report which was released last year.
Today, most of the global suicide deaths are believed to be from pesticides (agriculture), firearms and hanging of oneself. Many of these suicide deaths are found to die from;
• Depression/stress
• Social isolation/loneliness/Hopelessness
• Fear
• Regrets
• Mental illness
• Traumatic experience
• Bullying
• Personal disorders
• Drug addiction/ abuse
• Eating disorders
• Unemployment
• Relationship problems
• Family history/genetics and many others.
This signifies a global call for all to work together and address the issue. Here are few prevention and control measures by the World Health Organisation;
• Reduce the access to means of suicide
• Report the issue responsibly especially the media
• Implement tougher alcohol policies to reduce harmful use of alcohol
• Train more non-health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behaviours
• Continue to support and follow up those that have already attempted suicide
Suicide is preventable and can be controlled.
