Suicides Account for One in Every 100 Deaths Worldwide, Says WHO -

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With more than one billion people suffering from mental disorders, the World Health Organization (WHO) is drawing attention to the scale of a scourge too often left in the shadows. Suicide alone represents 1% of all deaths globally. Nearly 727,000 people take their own lives each year – and for every victim, there are around 20 attempts.

“Suicide remains a tragic consequence of certain mental disorders,” warns WHO in a new report published on Tuesday. It is among the leading causes of death among young people across all countries, regardless of their level of development or wealth. Yet, despite a global 35% decline in suicide rates between 2000 and 2021, progress remains too slow to meet the UN’s target of reducing suicide rates by one-third by 2030. “If current trends continue, the reduction will only reach 12% within five years,” the WHO cautions.

Nearly three-quarters of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. However, this finding is not conclusive, since these countries account for the majority of the world’s population. Wealthier nations actually report higher suicide rates, but according to the UN health agency, comparisons remain skewed: statistical reporting is more reliable in high-income countries than in poorer ones.

The Other Global Health Crisis

Behind these figures lies the surge in mental health disorders, which is particularly alarming. More than one billion people are affected, according to a second WHO report — a number that is rising faster than global population growth. Anxiety and depression are the most widespread. But schizophrenia and bipolar disorder also have severe consequences: schizophrenia shortens average life expectancy by nine years, and bipolar disorder by 13. Women are disproportionately affected by mental health conditions worldwide.

These disorders are not limited to personal suffering: they are the world’s second leading cause of long-term disability and cost millions of years of healthy life.

A Staggering Cost Amid Underinvestment

“The transformation of mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges,” stressed WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus. “Investing in mental health is investing in people, communities, and economies.”

The losses are enormous: depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy $1 trillion every year. Yet funding remains stagnant: worldwide, only about 2% of public health spending goes to mental health — the same proportion as in 2017.

The disparities between countries are stark: up to $65 per capita in high-income nations, but as little as four cents in the poorest. The median number of mental health professionals stands at just 13 per 100,000 people — a ratio that is close to zero in many parts of the Global South.

Source : NATIONS Infos