World Suicide Prevention Day, celebrated annually on 10 September, is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The event focuses attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, government, and the public, giving a singular message that suicide can be prevented.
The theme of WSPD 2024-2026, “Change the Narrative,” aims to break down barriers, like stigma, raise awareness, and create a culture of understanding and support to prevent suicide. Everyone, individual, communities, organization and governments has an important role to play in changing the narrative on suicide.
To learn more, visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s campaign webpage.
Message of Dr Jarbas Barbosa on World Suicide Prevention Day 2024
Suicide in the Americas: Key Facts
- In 2021, 100,933 people died by suicide in the Regions of the Americas.
- From 2000-2019, the age-standardized suicide rate in the Americas increased by 17% (AMRO was the only WHO region to show an increase during this period).
- North America is the subregion in the Americas with the highest suicide rate, followed by the Non-Latin Caribbean.
- 79.4% of suicide deaths in the Region occurred among males in 2019; however, suicides in women showed a sharper increase than male suicides between 2000 and 2019.
- Middle-aged adults (40–69 years of age) make up the greatest proportion (38.0%) of suicides in the Region, followed by older-aged adults (70+ years of age; 32.8%).
- Implementing evidence-based interventions for suicide prevention, such as those outlined in the WHO LIVE LIFE Intervention Guide for Suicide Prevention in Countries, can support countries in the Region to prevent suicides.
Event
World Suicide Prevention Day 2024: Change the narrative
Join us for a session organized jointly by PAHO and the University of Toronto to discuss the impact and relevance of suicide prevention through media messaging, focusing on the importance of responsible media reporting related to suicide to promote awareness and collaboration across the Region of the Americas.
- Tuesday, 10 September 2024
- 12.00 P.M. (EDT)
- LANGUAGES: Spanish and English, with simultaneous translation.
