'One million people die from suicide yearly'

Suicide is among the three leading causes of death in the age group of 15-44 years in some countries, and the second leading cause of death in the 10-24 years age group while these figures do not include suicide attempts, which are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide. In recent years, incidences of suicide appear to have increased in Pakistan and suicide has become a major public health problem.
This was stated by a leading mental health professional and vice-chancellor University of Health Sciences (UHS) Professor M H Mubbashar while delivering a lecture on "Suicide Prevention" here Tuesday. According to him, mental disorders particularly depression and alcohol use, are major risk factors for suicide in Europe and North America; however, in Asian countries "impulsiveness" plays an important role.
Every year, almost one million people die from suicide; a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds. Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among the male elderly, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in both developed and developing countries.
Professor M H Mubbashar said that suicide is complex with psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors involved. "In recent years, incidences of suicide appear to have increased in Pakistan and suicide has become a major public health problem. Mortality statistics on suicides need to be collected through a standard system of registration, recording and diagnosis of suicides, at all town/city, district and provincial levels," he said.
Professor Mubbashar said, "suicide was a multi-dimensional disorder, which resulted from a complex interaction of biological, genetic, psychological and environmental factors." According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, Professor Mubbashar said, approximately one million people commit suicide every year. This represents one death every minute, almost 3000 deaths every day, and one suicide attempt every three seconds, he informed the gathering.
He further said suicide was among the top 10 causes of death in every country, and one of the three leading causes of death in 15 to 24-year age group. World-wide, he added, suicide rates had increased by 60 percent over the last half century. He said, "suicide is not only a global tragedy but a major public health problem as well. The psychological and social impact of suicide on the family is immeasurable."
He said there were no official statistics on suicide from Pakistan. 'Suicide deaths are not included in the national annual mortality statistics. However, there was compelling evidence (newspaper reports, police sources) that suicide ratio has gradually been increasing in Pakistan over the last few years, he said. "From available evidence it also appears that most suicides occur in young people (single men and married women) under the age of 30 years. Hanging, use of insecticides and firearms are the most common methods.