'More than 700,000 people die by suicide every year. Many more attempt suicide but survive. The theme of this World Mental Health Day, on October 10, is to make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority.'
This opinion piec in Al-Jazeera calls for decriminalisation of suicide. Twenty countries treat suicide as a creiminal offence.
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/10/10/suicide-is-not-a-crime-cou...
COMMENT (NPW): Below is a list of the countries that treat suicide as a criminal offence [Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_legislation#Laws_in_individual_jur...(table) ]
AFRICA
Gambia
Ghana
Kenya
Malawi
Nigeria
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
AMERICAS
Bahamas
Guyana
SOUTH EAST ASIA
Bangladesh
Brunei
Lebanon
Malaysia
Myanmar
Oman
Pakistan
Syria
Yemen
WESTERN PACIFIC
Papua New Guinea
In some or perhaps all of these countries, suicidal *behaviour* is also treated as a criminal offence. 'A law that criminalises suicide only serves to exacerbate the existing stigma and discrimination against people with mental health conditions. People who attempt suicide are treated as criminals, potentially receiving a permanent criminal record, robbing them of opportunities in work and life they vitally need.'
Even worse, people with suicidal thoughts in the above countries will likely be discouraged from seeking treatment.
This appalling situation is clearly due to a profound lack of understanding among policymakers about mental health. This doubtless reflects a lack of understanding in the general populations of the countries concerned.
Those who understand mental health best are mental health professionals. I think we can be confident that nearly every single mental health professional worldwide is against the criminalisation of suicide. Policymakers should follow their lead.
HIFA is working for a world where every person, every health worker and every policymaker has access to the reliable information - including information on mental health and suicide - they need to protect their health and the health of others.
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh, Global Coordinator HIFA, www.hifa.org neil@hifa.org
Global Healthcare Information Network: Working in official relations with WHO
