Some 65,000 people take their own lives in the Americas each year—more than 7 per hour—according to a report released today by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, Suicide mortality in the Americas, is based on data from 48 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere. It shows that suicide is a significant health problem and one of the region’s leading preventable causes of death.

“Many things about suicide make it especially tragic,” said PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne. “The severe emotional suffering of the one who takes his life; the feelings of loss, abandonment or guilt of family members and friends left behind; and it is so permanent yet many times for problems which can be solved. But to a large extent suicide is preventable. Research has shown that reducing access to the most common means like fire arms pesticides, and certain medicine helps lessen suicides.”

Regionwide, the Americas has a lower average suicide rate (7.3 per 100,000 inhabitants) than the global average (11.4 per 100,000) and lower than other WHO regions. Within the Americas, however, rates vary significantly in different countries as well as by age and sex. Among subregions, North America and the non-Hispanic Caribbean have the highest suicide rates. Men have higher rates than women in all the region’s countries. And among age groups, people over age 70 have the highest suicide rates.

Other significant findings of the new report include:

• Suicide is the third-leading cause of death in young people ages 10 to 24
• Adults over age 70 are the most likely to die from suicide
• Men are about 4 times more likely than women to die from suicide, although women make more suicide attempts
• The most common method of suicide in the region is suffocation (including hanging), followed by firearms and poisoning (including drug overdose and pesticide ingestion)
• Suicide declined slightly in North America between 2005 and 2009 but increased in Latin America and the Caribbean
• The countries in the region with the highest suicide rates (for 2005-2009) were: Guyana (26.2 per 100,000), Suriname (23.3), Uruguay (14.2), Chile (11.2), Trinidad and Tobago (10.7), the United States (10.1), Cuba (9.9) and Canada (9.7).

The report notes that these and other findings should be interpreted with caution, since data quality varies significantly across countries. In addition, cultural, religious and even legal factors lead to underreporting of suicide in many countries, which suggests the report likely underestimates the real burden of suicide in the Americas.

The report also notes that there is a strong link between suicide and mental health problems; research suggests that mental illness is a factor in as many as 90% of all suicides. The report recommends that countries evaluate their mental health systems to determine if they have the programs, services, and resources to prevent and treat problems associated with suicidal behavior.  

“We need to detect early and treat mental disorders like depression and alcohol abuse,” said PAHO Director Etienne. “In our communities and in our primary care services, we must identify, monitor and provide care for those at risk. We must be especially vigilant for those with previous attempts. But preventing suicide is not just the responsibility of health care workers; communities, families, churches, and social groups must become involved.”

PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO.

Links:

• Suicide Mortality in the Americas (PAHO regional report)
• Preventing suicide: a global imperative (WHO global report)