For every person who dies by su***de, there are numerous survivors left behind to cope with the tragic loss. Already in this new century there have been more than 5 million su***de deaths worldwide. Each year approximately one million people in the world die by su***de. This toll is higher than the total number of world deaths each year from war and homicide combined. Su***de is an important public health problem in many countries, and is a leading cause of death amongst teenagers and young adults. In addition, it is estimated that there are from 10-20 times as many su***de attempts as su***de deaths. These su***de attempts range in intent and medical severity from mild to very severe. At a personal level, all su***de attempts, regardless of the extent of injury, are indications of severe emotional distress, unhappiness and/or mental illness. Su***de and su***de attempts have serious emotional consequences for families and friends. The burden of bereavement by su***de can have a profound and lasting emotional impact for family members. The families of those who make su***de attempts are often especially anxious and concerned about the risk of further suicidal behaviour, and about their responsibilities in trying to prevent further attempts. There are also substantial economic costs associated with lives lost to su***de. These costs arise from the loss of economic potential due to lives lost to su***de, from the often devastating effects of symptoms of bereavement by su***de, from the medical and mental health costs associated with su***de attempts, and from the burden of family care for those who have made su***de attempts. Internationally, the annual economic cost of suicidal behaviour is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. The scope of the problem:
In the last 45 years, su***de rates have increased by 60 percent in some countries. Worldwide, su***de ranks among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years. In the year 2000, approximately one million people died of su***de. This represents a global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds. Self-inflicted injuries represented 1.8 percent of the global burden of disease in 1998 and are expected to increase to 2.4 percent in 2020. Su***de rates among young people have been increasing and they are currently the group at highest risk in one third of all countries (developed and developing). At least 100,000 adolescents die by su***de every year.
*Figures from the World Health Organization.
