World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 each year including Pakistan to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides across the globe.
Nearly 3000 people on average commit suicide daily, according to WHO.
About one million people die by suicide each year. Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psycho-social, cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through worldwide responses that address these main risk factors.
According to a research suicide rates are 60 percent higher than the official rate and this social problem is also found in Pakistan.
Economic factors leading to depression were also one of the reasons for such a high suicide rate in the country and poverty was a risk factor.
This day promotes issues such as suicide prevention. Various events and activities are held during this occasion to raise awareness that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death.
World Suicide Prevention Day, which first started in 2003, is co-sponsored by organizations such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and World Health Organization (WHO) that play a key role in promoting this event.
World Suicide Prevention Day gives organizations, government agencies and individuals a chance to promote awareness about suicide, mental illnesses associated with suicide, as well as suicide prevention.