Suicide and Suicide Prevention From a Global Perspective

Book excerpt: Suicide is one of the most personal yet one of the most complex acts anyone can perform and it continues to be a major global public health problem with an estimated 800,000 deaths annually. Suicide prevention is an important target in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, which aims to reduce premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases by one-third. Suicide is a global problem, but what differences are there is the challenges faced and the solutions found regionally? Written by leading experts, the nine chapters of this volume provide a clear outline of the major milestones and achievements that have been reached so far in six different geographical regions according to data collated by IASP and the WHO. Recent progress in the development and implementation of national suicide prevention programs in different countries is also explored. In two concluding chapters, the evidence base and best practice of suicide prevention programs are reviewed as well as a look at the future directions for suicide prevention at the global level. This is essential reading for all those involved in suicide research and prevention as well as public health policy and epidemiology who want to keep up-to-date with the latest global developments.