PAHO and the United States National Institute of Mental Health discuss suicide prevention in the Americas – PAHO/WHO

Washington DC, June 14, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United States National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) brought together policymakers, civil society and researchers this week to discuss advances and gaps in suicide prevention research. , as well as exchange experiences on evidence-based prevention strategies and identify priorities for suicide prevention in the Region of the Americas.

During the event, Forging Connections: Bridging Policy and Research for Suicide Prevention in the Americas: A Joint PAHO/NIMH Symposium, participants highlighted the importance of quality data and research for the development of health-based prevention policies and programs. in evidence, and emphasized the need for multi-sector collaboration to address the increasing rates of death by suicide, which claim more than 93,000 lives in the Region each year.

“Suicide is a public health priority for the Region of the Americas, and we can no longer afford to underestimate it,” said PAHO Deputy Director Mary Lou Valdez during her opening remarks at the Symposium.

While suicide mortality rates have decreased globally by 36% between 2000 and 2019, the Americas experienced a 17% increase in the number of suicide deaths during the same period. It is currently the third cause of death among young people between 20 and 24 years old in the Region.

“The impact of the many lives lost to suicide transcends numbers and percentages,” added the PAHO Deputy Director. «Every death by suicide represents a profound loss, not only for that person’s family and friends, but for entire communities and society.»

Addressing suicide requires accelerated and coordinated actions by countries and strategic partners. These should include the development and monitoring of indicators on mental health and suicide to facilitate evidence-based decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of local contexts.

Locally relevant research on suicide and related risk factors is also crucial to determining effective measures that could contribute to reducing suicide rates throughout the Region.

During the Symposium, attendees participated in panel discussions on a variety of topics. These included strengthening suicide surveillance systems; reduce access to lethal means; foster social-emotional life skills in adolescents; responsibly reporting suicide; early identification, evaluation, management and follow-up of people affected by suicide; and support suicide prevention research.

PAHO works with countries in the Americas to reduce suicide mortality using the World Health Organization (WHO) LIVE LIFE intervention guide for suicide prevention in countrieswhich includes a package of evidence-based strategies and tools.

The PAHO High-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19 described suicide prevention as one of its ten priority areas to advance mental health in the Americas. Addressing suicide is also highlighted in the PAHO Strategy to Improve Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the Region of the Americas, which was approved during the 60th PAHO Directing Council in September 2023.