Limiting access to pesticides and firearms, among the most common methods of suicide globally, can help reduce the number of people taking their own lives, according to a latest WHO report.
More than 800,000 people die by suicide every year, according to WHO’s first global report on suicide prevention, which found that pesticide poisoning, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.
Evidence from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the US and a number of European countries shows that limiting access to these means can help prevent people dying by suicide.
‘There is no single explanation of why people die by suicide. However, many suicides happen impulsively and, in such circumstances, easy access to a means of suicide - such as pesticides or firearms - can make the difference as to whether a person lives or dies,’ the report said. Another key to reducing deaths by suicide, WHO said, is a commitment by national governments to the establishment and implementation of a coordinated plan of action. Currently, only 28 countries are known to have national suicide prevention strategies.
More than 800,000 people die by suicide every year, according to WHO’s first global report on suicide prevention, which found that pesticide poisoning, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.
Evidence from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the US and a number of European countries shows that limiting access to these means can help prevent people dying by suicide.
‘There is no single explanation of why people die by suicide. However, many suicides happen impulsively and, in such circumstances, easy access to a means of suicide - such as pesticides or firearms - can make the difference as to whether a person lives or dies,’ the report said. Another key to reducing deaths by suicide, WHO said, is a commitment by national governments to the establishment and implementation of a coordinated plan of action. Currently, only 28 countries are known to have national suicide prevention strategies.