WHO unveils suicide prevention guideline “Live Life” to aid in global suicide reduction

World Health Organisation (WHO) has produced a suicide prevention guideline called "Live Life" to help countries improve suicide prevention and care.

Through the use of this newly published guideline, WHO to help the world reach the target of reducing the global suicide rate by one-third by 2030

According to WHO latest estimates, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. 

In 2019, more than 700 000 people died by suicide: one in every 100 deaths, prompting WHO to produce new guidance to help countries improve suicide prevention and care, the release said.

WHO's "Live Life" suicide prevention guideline contains 4 prime strategies to prevent this alarming increase in global suicide numbers.

The key 4 strategies are: limiting access to the means of suicide, such as highly hazardous pesticides and firearms; educating the media on responsible reporting of suicide; fostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and early identification, assessment, management and follow-up of anyone affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "We cannot - and must not - ignore suicide. Each one is a tragedy." 

"Our attention to suicide prevention is even more important now, after many months living with the Covid-19 pandemic, with many of the risk factors for suicide   ̶   job loss, financial stress and social isolation – still very much present." 

"The new guidance that WHO is releasing today provides a clear path for stepping up suicide prevention efforts," added Dr Tedros

Regarding the new guidelines, WHO's suicide prevention expert Dr Alexandra Fleischmann said, "While a comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy should be the ultimate goal for all governments, starting suicide prevention with LIVE LIFE interventions can save lives and prevent the heartbreak that follows for those left behind."