PAHO director warns suicide is ‘significant public health concern’ for the Caribbean

WASHINGTON, CMC – The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr Jarbas Barbosa says that with nearly 100,000 deaths by suicide each year in the Americas, it is a “significant public health concern” for the region.

“Alarmingly, the region experienced a 17 percent increase in suicide rate from 2000 to 2019, making it the only World Health Organization (WHO) region to witness an increase,” said Barbosa in a message to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, which takes place on Sunday. 

The PAHO director stressed that “every case of suicide is a tragedy that severely impacts not only individuals but also families and communities.” 

He said suicide can be prevented and asked Caribbean countries to “create hope through our actions” and “reduce suicide in the region.” 

While it can affect people of any age, PAHO said that, in 2019, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years worldwide and women are more likely to attempt suicide, but men are more likely to complete the act. 

According to PAHO, of every woman who dies by suicide in the region, 3.5 men commit the act,

In addition, available evidence indicates a disproportionate impact of suicide among groups in situations of vulnerability, such as indigenous populations and LGBTQI+ people. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated many risk factors for suicide, including unemployment, financial insecurity and social isolation,” said Barbosa, adding that addressing suicide requires a collective effort. 

During the last week of September this year, PAHO said ministers and senior health authorities from the Americas, including the Caribbean, will meet at PAHO's 60th Directing Council, where they will discuss a new strategy to improve mental health and prevent suicide.

PAHO said the strategy will “highlight suicide prevention as a priority” for all countries and areas of government and “emphasise the need for multisectoral commitment” to prevent it.

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