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SEPTEMBER
Y O U R N O T A L O N E
Hope Through Action
Suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect that impacts not only individuals, but also families,
communities and societies. Associated risk factors for suicide, such as job or financial loss, trauma or
abuse, mental and substance use disorders, and barriers to accessing health care, have been further
amplified by COVID-19. One year after the pandemic’s onset, more than half of people surveyed in
Chile, Brazil, Peru and Canada reported that their mental health had gotten worse.
Suicide can be prevented, however. Key evidence-based suicide prevention measures include
restricting access to means for suicide (e.g. firearms, pesticides, etc.), mental health and alcohol
reduction policies, and promoting responsible media reporting on suicide. Social stigma and a lack of
awareness remain major barriers to help-seeking for suicide, highlighting the need for mental health
literacy and anti-stigma campaigns.
In 2019, 97,339 people died by suicide in the Region of the Americas, and it is
estimated that 20 times that number may have made suicide attempts.
