The 10th of Septembers is observed as World Suicide Prevention Day and the month of October is national depression and mental health awareness month, with the 10th of October marking World Mental Health Day. In a 2019 report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), they noted that 77% of suicides globally occur in low- and middle-income countries. Among the countries with the highest suicide rates are South Africa, Russia, Lithuania, South Korea and Lesotho in the top 10.
The link between suicide and low-income is high, pointing to the lack on economic opportunities as a contributor. Although the suicide rate is higher in developing nations, according to W.H.O. it is also one of the top 4 leading causes of death in developed nations. W.H.O reports that 1 in 13 deaths globally are as a result of suicide, while 1 in 4 struggles with mental health and of those, an estimated 75% of people in developing nations don’t receive diagnosis or treatment.
