Situation Analysis of Suicide and Self-Harm in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
Publication date: 2023
The objective of this study was to conduct a situation analysis for suicide and self-harm in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region using data from the WHO Global Health Estimates for the years 2000–2019. The study concludes that many countries in the Region remain underserved in terms of mental health care. Decriminalization of suicide and means restriction might be further promoted. Online-based tools for mental health literacy and psychosocial therapy are other options to explore.
Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals
Publication date: 2023
This is the fourth version of Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals and is the product of continuing collaboration between the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). This update represents a link in a long and diverse chain involving a wide range of people and groups – including health professionals, media professionals, educators, social agencies, governments, legislators, social communicators, law enforcers, religious leaders, people with lived experience of suicide, and the families and communities who are committed to suicide prevention.
WHO Policy Brief on the health aspects of decriminalization of suicide and suicide attempts
Publication date: 2023
Reducing the global suicide mortality rate by a third by 2030 is a target of both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the WHO Global Mental Health Action Plan. However, an impediment to meeting this goal is the fact that suicide and suicide attempts remain illegal in at least 23 countries worldwide. Decriminalization of suicide and suicide attempts represents one critical step governments can take in their efforts to prevent suicide. The WHO Policy Brief on the health aspects of decriminalization of suicide and suicide attempts cites data and research to make a case for decriminalizing suicide globally. It also includes case examples from countries that have recently decriminalized suicide and suicide attempts — Guyana and Pakistan, Singapore,— providing important insights to policy-makers, legislators, parliamentarians and other decision-makers.
WHO tool for suicide media monitoring
Publication date: 2023
To support countries and territories in their efforts to actively monitor their media and make significant progress in suicide prevention, the Regional Office is proud to offer a jointly developed monitoring tool. This empowering resource is readily available for use, enabling proactive oversight of the media landscape and encouraging responsible reporting practices that drive positive change.
Suicide and self-harm
Publication date: 2019
This is one of a series of factsheets produced by WHO to give the general public information about mental disorders and how they can be treated. It addresses suicide and self-harm, and how they can be treated. It contains 10 sections: (1) what are suicide and self-harm; (2) what is self-harm; (3) what is suicide; (4) common signs and symptoms of self-harm and suicide – how to spot someone at risk; (5) what causes self-harm and suicide; (6) when should you seek help; (7) preventing and treating self-harm and suicidal behaviours; (8) how can you help yourself; (9) how can you help someone who self-harms; and (10) how can you help someone with suicidal thoughts.
Preventing suicide: a resource series
Publication date: 2019
This resource series contains multilingual resources on preventing suicide for: general physicians; media professionals; teachers and other school staff; primary health care workers; counsellors; police, firefighters and other first line responders; pesticide registrars and regulators; and filmmakers and others working on stage and screen. It also contains resources on preventing suicide in jails and prisons, and at work, as well as resources on how to start a survivors’ group, in addition to resources for suicide case registration, non-fatal suicidal behaviour case registration, and establishing a crisis line.
Preventing suicide: A manual for case registration of suicide and attempted suicide
Publication date: 2014
The goal of this manual is to provide step-by-step instruction on how to establish an effective and reliable registration system for fatal and nonfatal suicidal behaviour and monitor trends using standard recording practices and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in order to improve knowledge about the incidence and trends of suicide and suicide attempts at a national or subnational level.
