Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) mark September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day. Its purpose is to initiate, encourage and support suicide prevention activities around the world.
Suicide is a global health issue. According to the WHO, the number of suicides averages 700,000 per year. According to the Statistical Committee, in Armenia, from January to June of 2021, 281 suicide attempts were recorded, of which 88 were suicides and 193 were suicide attempts. According to the Police Information Center, from January to June of 2022, 290 suicide and suicide attempts were registered in Armenia, of which 92 suicides and 198 suicide attempts were reported.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 24, and LGBTQ people are at significantly higher risk. LGBTQ people are more than four times more likely to commit suicide than their peers. The Trevor Projects estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth aged 13 to 24 in the US seriously contemplate suicide each year, with at least one suicide attempt every 45 seconds.
A 2022 national poll by The Trevor Project found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and non-binary youth. LGBTQ people are at high risk of stigmatization and discrimination from society.
The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is “Create Hope Through Action”. This headline is a reminder that suicide has an alternative. By encouraging mutual understanding, communication, and sharing of experiences, it aims to instill confidence in each of us to be a beacon of light for those who are suffering.
