Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an occasion that prompts us to renew our commitment to promoting positive mental health and intensify our efforts to prevent suicide—an ongoing global public health challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the year 2019 saw over 700,000 suicides worldwide, with an estimated suicide rate of 9.0 per 100,000 per year.
In Africa, the continent grapples with six of the world’s ten countries reporting the highest suicide rates, particularly among young people—especially men aged 17-35. In at least ten African nations, attempted suicide is still considered a criminal offense, perpetuating stigma and hindering individuals from seeking essential support. Approximately 90% of suicide cases and attempts are linked to mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with depression ranking highest among the mental health conditions associated with suicide. The COVID-19 pandemic, socio-economic challenges, domestic violence, and various forms of abuse have exacerbated these factors, impacting many across the continent.
This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme, “Creating Hope through Action,” is aligned with Africa CDC’s strategic priorities, particularly in promoting mental health and well-being, especially among high-risk groups like healthcare workers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa CDC organized a series of webinars on “mental health and resilience for healthcare workers,” aiming to instill hope and resilience in thousands of healthcare professionals. Internally, Africa CDC implemented a “rest and recovery” system for staff responding to COVID-19, significantly enhancing the well-being of its personnel. One flagship initiative of Africa CDC’s mental health strategy is the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into emergency preparedness and response, which includes addressing suicide and self-harm in humanitarian settings. Africa CDC, in collaboration with partners, has organized three regional workshops in Western, Central, and Eastern Africa, bringing together mental health directors, emergency preparedness, and response officers from 38 Member States to devise plans for integrating mental health and psychosocial support into their national health security action plans.
Furthermore, Africa CDC continues to assist Member States in reviewing and reforming mental health policies and legislation to align with continental and global standards—a top priority.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, let us collectively work towards creating a world where every individual has an equal opportunity to experience positive mental health and well-being by “Creating Hope through Action.”
Together, let us unite to prevent suicide in Africa!
