Suicidal Hotline

More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year. For each suicide, there are likely to be more than 20 suicide attempts.

Suicide occurs across the lifespan and was the fourth leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–29 globally in 2019. Suicide is a worldwide phenomenon; in fact, 77% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.

While the association between suicide and mental disorders—particularly depression and alcohol-use disorders—is well established, especially in high-income settings, many suicides occur impulsively in moments of crisis. Additional risk factors include experiences of loss, loneliness, discrimination, relationship break-ups, financial difficulties, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and conflicts or other humanitarian emergencies.

Both suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect that impacts families, friends, colleagues, communities, and societies at large.

Suicide is preventable. Significant measures can be taken at the individual, community, and national levels to prevent suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and call 911.

National Suicide Prevention Toolkit