In the past 20 years, the global age‑standardized suicide rate dropped by approximately 35%, offering a rare beacon of progress in global mental health trends.

This significant decline was uneven across regions, ranging from a modest 3% reduction in Africa to a striking 50% decrease in the Western Pacific. Europe saw a 48% drop, while South‑East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean recorded decreases of 26% and 30%, respectively.

However, the Americas stood out as the only WHO region where suicide rates rose, increasing by 17% during the same period  .

The reduction in suicide rates is attributed to a combination of factors, including improved mental health interventions, better access to support services, and targeted “means‑restriction” policies—such as limiting access to common methods of suicide. Despite this encouraging global trend, rising rates in the Americas highlight the need for region‑specific strategies and continued investment in suicide prevention.

Source: Human Progress