The World Health Organisation says over 700,000 people globally commit suicide every year with 77 percent of all global suicides occurring in low and middle-income countries.
Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Nigeria Country Representative, disclosed this Sunday in a statement to mark this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day.
According to him, for every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.
He said: “Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. Every case of suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire country and it has long-lasting effects on the people left behind.”
Mulombo said suicides were preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions.