Suicide Prevention Day: Over 20,000 suicides in Bangladesh annually

The International Suicide Prevention Day is being observed in the country with various events. This year, the theme of the day is 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide.' This theme calls on us all to challenge harmful myths, reduce stigma, and foster open, compassionate conversations about suicide. It is about shifting from silence and misunderstanding to openness, empathy, and support — creating environments where people feel able to speak up and seek help.

In a press release on Tuesday, Dr. Catharina Boehme, current Regional Director (In-charge) for the World Health Organization's South-East Asia Region, said that suicide is preventable. For this, collective efforts and awareness are necessary. It is important to resolve collective crises rather than dealing with individual crises. She called for creating an environment of understanding and compassion by coming out of the culture of silence and shame.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 208,000 people commit suicide in Southeast Asia every year. The organization has made four recommendations to prevent suicide. These are--limiting the availability of suicide methods (poisons, weapons), responsible reporting of suicide in the media, developing social and emotional skills among adolescents, and quickly identifying and providing support to people affected by suicide and self-harm.

A survey by the Center for Injury Prevention and Research Bangladesh (CIPRB) found that an average of 20,505 people commit suicide in the country every year. Of these, 35.4 percent are teenage girls. The suicide rate is highest among those aged 15 to 17. And the rate is higher in villages than in cities.

To prevent teenage suicide, psychiatrists have suggested introducing mental health services at the school level and training teachers in this regard.