WHO Calls for Urgent Global Action as Suicide Remains Leading Cause of Death Among Youth

WHO Calls for Urgent Global Action as Suicide Remains Leading Cause of Death Among Youth
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More than 1 in every 100 deaths worldwide is caused by suicide, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO), as reported by Kurdistan24. The global health body is urging immediate action to address a growing mental health crisis, particularly among young people.

The WHO’s World Mental Health Today report reveals that although suicide rates have declined slightly, the progress remains insufficient. In 2021, the most recent year with available data, approximately 727,000 people died by suicide globally. For each suicide, there are 20 attempts, according to WHO’s interim mental health director, Devora Kestel.

Suicide is now one of the top causes of death among youth, ranking as the second leading cause for females and third for males aged 15 to 29. While there has been a 35% global reduction in suicide rates from 2000 to 2021, the current trajectory falls short of the United Nations’ target of a one-third reduction by 2030, with projections estimating only a 12% decrease.

The report also notes stark regional disparities. While most regions have seen declines, suicide rates in the Americas increased by 17% during the same period. Furthermore, around 74% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, where mental health services are often underfunded or inaccessible.

Compounding the issue is the rising prevalence of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, which have grown faster than the global population. Over one billion people now live with mental health conditions, with young people facing increased vulnerability due to factors like social media and the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, said WHO mental health unit chief Mark van Ommeren.

Despite these challenges, funding remains limited. Since 2017, governments globally have allocated a median of just 2% of health budgets to mental health, and only 9% of individuals with depression receive adequate treatment. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the urgency of transforming mental health systems and called on all nations to prioritize mental health care and suicide prevention, especially for at-risk communities.