Geneva: The World Health Organization announced Tuesday that suicide accounts for one percent of deaths globally, highlighting a concerning stagnation in progress towards addressing this critical issue. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young individuals, drawing attention to the urgent need for comprehensive mental health strategies.
According to Jordan News Agency, Debora Kestel, head of WHO's mental health department, revealed during a press conference that "suicide claimed the lives of nearly 727,000 people in 2021 alone." This alarming statistic underscores the severe impact of suicide on global health.
Two reports from UN agencies emphasize that over one billion individuals worldwide are affected by mental disorders, pointing to the critical necessity of enhancing mental health services. The reports identified suicide as one of the most devastating outcomes of specific mental health conditions, necessitating immediate action.
WHO also cautioned that mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression rank as the second largest cause of long-term disability. These disorders significantly impair individuals' capacity to lead fulfilling lives and impose substantial economic burdens on societies worldwide.