Tragically, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world. It is attributed to around one in every 100 deaths. Many factors contribute to the risk of suicide, including a history of mental illness, chronic pain, substance abuse, childhood trauma, community or personal violence, lack of access to healthcare, stress, discrimination, societal stigma against seeking help, social isolation, unsafe media portrayals of suicide, easy access to methods of suicide, and more.
Which countries are the most affected by the suicide epidemic? The country with the highest suicide rate is Lesotho, which has a rate of 87.5 suicide deaths per 100,000 people annually. The suicide rate for males in Lesotho is even more shocking – 146.9 suicides per 100,000 people. Why is the suicide rate so high in Lesotho? Lesotho has suffered from decades of poverty, grief, and loss caused by the AIDS epidemic. In addition, employment opportunities are scarce, leading to an overall sense of hopelessness. Gender-based violence is another significant factor; at least 86% of women in Lesotho have experienced violence in their lifetime.
infographic by: nyrequirements.com
