Mexico City 22 October 2014 (PAHO/WHO) —. Some 65,000 people commit suicide each year in the Americas - more than 7 per hour - according to a report published today by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). Mortality in the Americas The report, Suicide Mortality in the Americas, is based on data from 48 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere. It shows that suicide is a major health problem and one of the main preventable causes of death in the region.
“Many things about suicide make it especially tragic,” said PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne. “The severe emotional suffering of someone who takes their life; Feelings of loss, abandonment, or guilt from family members and friends left behind; And it is so permanent, but many times for problems that can be solved. But suicide is largely preventable. Research has shown that reducing access to more common means such as firearms, pesticides and certain medications helps decrease suicides.”
Across the region, the Americas have a lower average suicide rate (7.3 per 100,000 inhabitants) than the world average (11.4 per 100,000) and lower than other WHO regions. Within the Americas, however, rates vary significantly across countries, as well as by age and sex. Among subregions, North America and the non-Hispanic Caribbean have the highest suicide rates. Men have higher rates than women in all countries in the region. And among age groups, people over 70 have the highest suicide rates.
Other significant findings from the new report include:
 

• Suicide is the third cause of death among young people between 10 and 24 years old
• Adults over 70 are the most likely to die from suicide
• Men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide, although women make more suicide attempts
• The most common method of suicide in the region is asphyxiation (including hanging), followed by firearms and poisoning (including drug overdose and ingestion of pesticides).
• Suicide decreased slightly in North America between 2005 and 2009, but increased in Latin America and the Caribbean
• The countries in the region with the highest suicide rate (2005-2009) were Guyana (26.2 per 100,000), Suriname (23.3), Uruguay (14.2), Chile (11.2), Trinidad and Tobago ( 10.7), the United States (10.1), Cuba (9.9) and Canada (9.7).

The report notes that these and other findings should be interpreted with caution, as data quality varies significantly from country to country. Furthermore, cultural, religious, and even legal factors lead to the underreporting of suicide in many countries, suggesting that the report likely underestimates the true burden of suicide in the Americas.
The report also notes that there is a strong link between suicide and mental health problems; Research suggests that mental illness is a factor in the 90% of all suicides. The report recommends that countries evaluate their mental health systems to determine whether they have the programs, services and resources to prevent and treat problems associated with suicidal behavior.
“We need to detect early and treat mental disorders such as depression and alcohol abuse,” said PAHO Director Etienne. “In our communities and in our primary care services, we must identify, monitor and provide care for those at risk. We must be especially vigilant for those with previous attempts. But preventing suicide is not just the responsibility of healthcare workers; Communities, families, churches and social groups.
PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and quality of life of the population of the Americas. It also serves as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas.
Links

• Suicide Mortality in the Americas (PAHO regional report)
• Preventing suicide: a global imperative (WHO global report)