World Suicide Prevention Day

Today, Mother's Heart Organization joins the International Association of Suicide Prevention to draw attention to the impacts of suicide, and to focus the public's attention on the needs of people at risk of suicide, suicide attempt survivors, and the people bereaved by suicide.

Cambodia has approximately 11.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure is above the world average of 9.55 per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2015, there were around 1,857 suicides that occurred in Cambodia. On average, five Cambodians committed suicide every day. Five lives lost every day is a tragedy and their families are left to cope on their own.

Suicide prevention remains a universal challenge. Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40seconds. (World Health Organization)

Every life lost represents someone's partner, child, parent, friend, or colleague. For each suicide, 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected. This amounts to 108million people per year who are profoundly impacted by suicidal behavior. Suicidal behavior includes suicide, and also encompasses suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. For every suicide, 25 people make a suicide attempt and more more have serious thoughts of suicide.

Please light a candle tonight to remember them all.