Suicide Rate Rises 20 Percent in Five Years

The youth suicide rate in Mexico has increased by 20% over the past five years. Authorities have called for the incorporation of innovative tools to identify and prevent suicidal behavior in young people.

In 2022, the suicide rate among 15 to 19-year-olds increased to 7.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. Officials compared this rate to 2016, when it was 6.9 per 100,000, showing that there has been a significant increase. Authorities explained that after the beginning of the pandemic in Mexico, there was an increase in suicides, as there was more emotional instability due to confinement and economic and family problems. In 2020, 609 suicides were registered, 630 in 2021 and 667 in 2022, reported Infobae.

Frida Guillén, Vice-President, Youth Commission of the Capital Congress, urged for collaboration between the Mexico City Government, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Education to develop new mental health strategies. Guillén stressed that mental health in Mexico must move away from traditional approaches such as the distribution of health cards, to find new innovative approaches that offer more meaningful help.

Suicide prevention is a major goal for care providers globally, as suicide rates keep increasing across the world. Every year, over 703,000 people take their own life, 77% of them in low and middle-income countries. Because of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) stresses the need to improve the availability and quality of data on suicide and suicide attempts to improve surveillance and reduce their prevalence. 

WHO implemented several actions to address the issue and break the stigma and taboo surrounding suicide. The organization encouraged world governments to prioritize suicide prevention in public health agendas by building multisectoral approaches for the different population groups that are differently vulnerable to suicide. 

In 2022, Mexico implemented the National Program for Suicide Prevention, which is based on timely interventions, treatment, and support at all levels of care for anyone who requires these services, regardless of their socioeconomic status or place of residence. Last year, the Ministry of Health reported that some 40,000 assistance aids had been provided and more than 13,000 people had been trained to deal with suicidal behavior.