World Suicide Day and Nursing

10th of September every year is now mapped out as the world suicide day and to be recognized world wide with this year the first to be celebrated.

WHO released some key facts about suicide, who is at risk, methods of suicide,the prevention and control, challenges and obstacle. Some key fact though are that 75% of Global Suicide occurs in Low and middle-income Countries and that suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29years olds.

Methods of suicide are said to be self poisoning , most of which occurs in rural agricultural area in low-and middle-income countries with other common methods like hanging and firearms. Now suicide is recognized as a public Health priority and the first WHO World Suicide Report "Preventing Suicide:a global imperative" published this year 2014 which aims to increase the awareness of the public health significance..... You can get the report from here WHO Report on Suicide
WHO Mental Health  Action Plan member states have committed themselves to working towards the global target of reducing the suicide rate in Countries by 10%

Read the WHO fact sheet here
Nurses can be a great asset in the movement towards reducing Suicide to 10% as stated by WHO action plan, though counseling of sexually abused persons, observing the psychiatry rules of "No sharp object near a mentally ill person" and properly educating individuals on the use of drugs as well as creating awareness on Drug abuse reduction.
Nurses themselves as well could be pivotal in the communities through Primary Health care settings as Suicide has been mentioned as a Primary Health Care priority By WHO  , hence giving the nurses in the communities the nod to to work towards the reduction of Suicide.
Nurses can make use of the WHO action plan 2013-2010 on Suicide to organize events, outreaches and centers aiming to increase the preventive measure of suicide. Read the WHO action plan on Suicide here

Nursing itself though a profession, may not be exempted from having statistics on suicide and suicidal attempts amongst its staffs and workers, therefore ,Nurses Round is initiating a discussion on what causes suicide amongst Nurses and how it could be reduced.
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