orld Suicide Prevention Day, organied by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO), on September 10 every year, serves as a powerful reminder that suicide is not inevitable - it can be prevented. The day is dedicated to raising global awareness and encouraging communities, healthcare professionals and policymakers to work together in offering hope and support to those at risk. It highlights the importance of empathy, as well as timely intervention and collective responsibility in saving lives.

According to the WHO, March 2025 statistics, every year, more than 720,000 people worldwide lose their lives to suicide, making it a pressing global health challenge. Among young people worldwide, aged 15 to 29 years, suicide has tragically become the third leading cause of death. Alarmingly, 73 per cent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where mental health resources are often limited. Behind these numbers are real human lives, families and communities coping with silent suffering.

For years, our nation has struggled with neglect in crucial areas – employment, housing, transport, health, education, justice and law and order. Moreover, drug abuse and tobacco misuse increase suicide risk. This has resulted in people burdened with immense psychological and emotional strain, creating a population under constant stress. The weight of these challenges often finds expression in our daily lives - on our roads, in our homes and sometimes in heartbreaking and extreme behaviours, including suicide and violence.

Pakistan lacks official national suicide statistics. The WHO estimates the country’s rate at 8.9 deaths per 100,000 people - just below the global average of nine. Province-wide statistics tell a different story. Data in individual studies and on various websites reveal significant gaps in access to mental health care across Pakistan. Rural areas, in particular, continue to face high levels of untreated psychological distress, with limited resources, few trained professionals and little community awareness. These disparities highlight the urgent need for scaling such initiatives beyond isolated districts, ensuring equitable mental health support for all provinces.

Media reporting on suicide requires care; sensationalism, stigma and oversimplification can silence suffering individuals and discourage them from seeking help. WHO’s 2023 guideline, available on its website emphasises, that the media has a crucial role in shaping public understanding of mental health. These guidelines encourage accurate, compassionate and stigma-free reporting, while highlighting the complexity of suicide, including cases involving firearm misuse. By following these standards, the media can become powerful allies in prevention efforts, raising awareness, building understanding and promoting responsibility in the vital field of mental health.

Pakistan has a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with estimates suggesting a ratio of psychologists, at roughly 0.19 per 100,000 people. This contributes to a significant treatment gap, as over 90 per cent of the population with common mental disorders remain untreated.

There is a pressing need for a standardised system of suicide registration in Pakistan, so that the true magnitude of this public health crisis is understood and addressed. The absence of reliable national data not only hides the true scale of the crisis but also delays meaningful action. Moreover, there is an urgent need for more high-quality research studies in Pakistan to better understand the underlying causes of suicide and guide effective prevention strategies. Reliable evidence is essential to inform national policies, design culturally appropriate interventions and allocate resources where they are needed most.

Pakistan has a severe shortage of mental health professionals - estimates suggest a ratio of psychologists, at roughly 0.19 per 100,000 people. This contributes to a significant treatment gap, as over 90 per cent of the population with common mental disorders remain untreated. 

In outpatient clinics, healthcare professionals, especially family physicians, should use compassionate and hopeful language when addressing individuals with suicidal intentions. Gentle reminders such as: “you are not alone in this journey,” or “accepting help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” can create a sense of connection and safety. They should encourage patients to embrace their environment and appreciate themselves beyond material success, reminding them that: “money is not the only wealth, and your worth is not defined by your work alone.” They should also highlight the importance of balance, saying “your social life and personal activities are as meaningful as your professional role.” They should promote small, sustainable steps toward activity and recovery with reassurance like “even minimal effort counts, every step forward matters.” Above all, they should emphasise patience and possibility: “recovery takes time, but it is possible; do not close the door on yourself, especially in your mind.” Such words, spoken with empathy, can open space for hope and healing.

Seeking professional help is crucial. Crisis helplines provide immediate support. Anyone looking for suicide-related questions on Google in Pakistan, such as “how can I commit suicide,” would now be sent to the Umang Pakistan helpline 0311-7786264. It offers confidential counselling. Happy KP helpline 0337-9216207 aims to provide confidential support over phone, email, video and chat. It organises team events, and one-to-one counseling, in Peshawar. In addition, for those in need of immediate support, a toll-free mental health helpline is available at 0800-44488 in Quetta, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. In Gilgit-Baltistan, assistance can be reached at 05811-920334, operating from Family Health Hospitals and static clinics. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. In the Punjab it operates Monday to Saturday, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Mobile phone users can also dial 0800-44488 (standard call charges may apply). These services provide a confidential and compassionate space for individuals seeking help and guidance in difficult times.

Willing Ways is recognised as one of Pakistan’s most trusted centres for addiction treatment and mental health rehabilitation, established in three major cities of the country - Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Beyond clinical care, Willing Ways extends its outreach through its YouTube channel, where valuable suicide prevention strategies are shared to raise awareness and guide those in need.

Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning, Karachi, is a Trust established in 1998 in memory of a renowned psychiatrist of Pakistan, Gen Dr Ishrat Husain (Late). It is committed to fostering the mental well-being of children and adolescents as well as their families, with the aim of supporting healthy psychosocial growth and community development. In 2021, the Aga Khan University launched a pilot study in Badin, Sindh, focusing on the role of lady health workers (LHWs) in community mental health. As part of the initiative, LHWs received specialised training in identifying and addressing mental health concerns. They then applied this knowledge in their communities, offering support and basic counselling to individuals in need. The study highlighted the potential of empowering frontline health workers with mental health education. This approach can be expanded to other parts of the country, with family physicians also included in the process. By training both Lady Health Workers and family physicians in basic mental health care, Pakistan can create a stronger frontline system

Emerging from a suicide attempt requires holistic recovery; physical, emotional, spiritual resources are essential for a flexible approach. We must continue working towards a society where mental health is prioritised. Key steps include creating a suicide prevention task force, integrating life skills and mental health education into schools and universities and encouraging research into self-harm. Equally vital is fostering responsible and empathetic media reporting. On a broader level, sustainable economic reforms - such as job creation, skill development, and access to interest-free microfinance - are essential to empower communities and reduce despair.

The writer is a family physician at Evercare Hospital, Lahore.