Africa records “the highest suicide death rate in the world”. In order to draw attention to “gravity” of the situation, the African region of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on October 6, 2022 the launch of an awareness campaign to prevent suicides on the continent. “Around 11 out of 100,000 people take their own lives in the African region, which is higher than the global average of nine suicide cases per 100,000 population”says the WHO statement.
The Africa zone of the UN agency is home to “six of the ten countries with the highest suicide rates in the world”. “Hanging, poisoning by pesticides, to a lesser extent drowning, use of a firearm, diving into a vacuum or overdose of drugs” are the means most used by Africans to end their lives. On the continent, “one suicide attempt in 20 is successful”.
Mental health is an integral part of broader health and well-being. Yet too many people in our region who need help with mental health issues do not receive it. The time has come to radically change this situation
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for AfricaCommunicated
At the origin of this poor care, the lack of means “to treat and prevent risk factors, including mental disorders, which currently affect 116 million people, compared to 53 million in 1990″. The WHO hopes, through this campaign on social networks which aims to reach 10 million people in the coming weeks, to mobilize political decision-makers so that they invest more in programs devoted to mental health.
“Significant investments must be made to tackle the growing burden of chronic diseases and non-infectious diseases such as mental disorders that can culminate in suicide in Africa”said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Mental health problems account for up to 11% of risk factors associated with suicide”says the WHO.
Today, African states devote, on average, “less than 50 cents per capita for mental health”which is “below the $2 per capita recommended for low-income countries”. Professionals are also rare and concentrated in urban centers. The WHO Africa zone does not count “than one psychiatrist per 500,000 inhabitants, which is 100 times lower than the WHO recommendation”
In August 2022, African health ministers set 2030 targets to improve mental health care. On this date, for example, “all countries will need to have a policy or legislation” in the field and 60% of them will have to implement it.