Suicide is preventable, yet thousands of people continue to die by suicide in Bangladesh every year, devastating families and communities.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for coordinated action across government and society to tackle stigma, reduce suicide risk and ensure that people in distress can access the support they need.
More than 720,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year, with 73% of suicides occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death globally among people aged 15-29.
In Bangladesh, WHO estimates that 4,714 people died by suicide in 2021, an average of about 13 people a day.
“Every life lost to suicide is one too many, particularly when we know that suicide can be prevented,” said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.
“Preventing suicide requires action across sectors and communities to reduce risk, strengthen support and ensure that people in distress are identified early and can get the help they need,” he said.
Bangladesh has in recent months stepped up efforts to develop its multisectoral National Suicide Prevention Plan 2026-2030.
The plan builds on the Mental Health Act 2018, National Mental Health Policy 2022 and National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2020-2030, which together provide a framework for strengthening mental healthcare in Bangladesh.
Drawing on WHO’s LIVE LIFE framework, the plan is being developed through a collaborative, evidence-based process. Government representatives, health experts, researchers and partners reviewed the draft in August to help inform its finalization and implementation.
Bangladesh is also putting suicide prevention into practice through the LIVE LIFE framework, with a focus on young people.
In pilot districts, WHO has helped train 488 teachers, including 40 master trainers, in socio-emotional life skills to help adolescents cope with stress, recognize distress and seek help. Lessons from participating schools will inform further refinement and potential expansion to other districts.
To build on this progress and prevent suicide across all age groups and communities, WHO is urging coordinated action centred on four key interventions under its LIVE LIFE approach.
First, limit access to the means of suicide, including highly hazardous pesticides and other commonly used means. Restricting access to lethal means can help prevent impulsive acts and give people in acute distress more time for a crisis to pass and for help to reach them.
Second, promote responsible reporting of suicide. Media coverage can influence suicide risk. Avoiding sensationalism, explicit descriptions of suicide methods and other potentially harmful details, while providing accurate information and highlighting sources of help, can contribute to suicide prevention.
Third, foster socio-emotional life skills among adolescents. Strengthening socio-emotional learning in schools can help young people cope with adversity, manage distress, build resilience, recognize when support is needed and seek help early.
Fourth, identify, assess, manage and follow up with people affected by suicidal behaviours. Strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers, particularly in primary healthcare, can support early identification and appropriate management of people experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours, including referral and follow-up.
These interventions also need to be supported by an enabling environment and stronger evidence.
Decriminalizing suicide attempts can reduce stigma and fear of prosecution, facilitate earlier help-seeking and improve reporting. Strengthening the collection and analysis of data on suicide and self-harm can improve understanding of risk factors, identify vulnerable populations and guide targeted interventions.
Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention. People experiencing distress should be encouraged to seek help, while families, friends and communities can make a difference by recognizing warning signs, reaching out and listening without judgement.
“Bangladesh has a significant opportunity to translate evidence into action,” said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed.
“With a national plan taking shape and practical approaches already being tested, the priority now is to take effective suicide prevention to more people, in more communities, and ensure that support is available when it is needed,” he said.
“WHO will continue to stand with Bangladesh in this effort – because behind every number is a life that can be saved, a family that can be spared loss and a community that can offer hope.”