700000 People Commit Suicide Annually-UN

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says more than 700,000 people commit suicide globally every year with 77 percent of all global suicides occurring in low and middle-income countries.

WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, said this in a message to commemorate the 2022 World Suicide Prevention Day.

Mulombo said the day which was being celebrated on Sept. 10 annually was aimed at raising the much-needed awareness that suicide was preventable.

“For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.

”Suicide is the fourth leading cause of deaths among 15 to 29 year old people,’’ he said.

According to him, the 2022 theme is “Creating hope through action” which serves as a reminder that there was an alternative to suicide.