One person commits suicide every 40 seconds in the world, according to a WHO study.
Suicide is globally the second leading cause of death among 14-to-29-year-olds.
As per the study, 79% of the world’s suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries, however, high-income countries had the highest rate, at 11.5 per 100 thousand. Suicide rates for men are almost three times more compared to that of women in high-income countries, in contrast to low- and middle-income countries, where the rate is more equal.
Suicide has proven to be the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years, after road injury or accident. Among teenagers aged 15-19 years, suicide was the second leading cause of death among girls, after maternal conditions, and the third leading cause of death in boys after road injury and interpersonal violence.
The most common methods of suicide are hanging, pesticide self-poisoning, and firearms. Restricting access to means; educating the media on responsible reporting of suicide; implementing programmes among young people to build life skills that enable them to cope with life stresses; and early identification and management of people at risk of suicide have been key interventions that have shown success in reducing suicides.
Faysal Ahmed Rafi, a psychologist and councilor of Bdlisteners told Bangaldesh Post that the biggest driving force to these suicide numbers is that society does not acknowledge the importance of mental health.
“It is still treated as taboo not just in Bangladesh but all over the world. Sickness is initially treated at home and stress and anxiety are treated similarly, many lives could be saved,” he said.
Veteran psychiatrist, Dr Anwara Begum told this correspondent that peer and societal pressure is very much to blame for this.
She said, “People go through their own troubles but society usually pushes those troubles further to a point where they feel like giving up. Everyone needs to be more supportive and understanding”.
Highlighting the study, a discussion meeting and award distribution was organized by the Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (BTF) to raise awareness among the people about suicide prevention. On the occasion of ‘Suicide Prevention Day’, a day-long discussion meeting and award distribution ceremony was organized at the Economic Reporters Forum Hall.
Earlier, BTF organized a month-long suicide prevention short story, essay and poster designing competition to raise awareness on suicide prevention.
Joyosree Zaman, President of BTF opened the discussion with her speech focusing on the horrors of the suicide rate in the world and in Bangladesh.
Speakers at the event said, “Liberal and good education is essential in suicide prevention and everyone needs to take proper care of the children of their own family.”
Former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof. Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique was the chief guest on the occasion. Chairman of Bangla Department of Dhaka University Prof. Dr. Syed Azizul Haque and others were present as special guests.