Choosing to die: a growing epidemic among the young

摘要: WHO estimates that about one million people kill themselves every, year -- a toll comparable to of malaria. Worse, on present trends, expects the number climb 1.5 by 2020. Even politicians are starting accept suicide is not just private issue. "Suicide being talked about," says Dr Michael Phillips, director research centre clinical epidemiology at Beijing's Hui Long Guan Hospital in China. Earlier this year, for example, Chinese vice-premier Li Lanqing chaired high-profile national meeting mental health which was mentioned. The made front page People's Daily. "This would have been unthinkable even five years ago," Phillips. At varying levels readiness, other governments, from Sweden United States, now beginning discuss, plan or implement prevention strategies, partly as result WHO's prodding. About dozen strategies place. Why all attention now? After all, rates reported suicides climbing decades, least much Europe and Americas, where data go back far enough reveal trends. Jose Bertolote, who responsible global initiative prevention, trend reflected sample four large countries studied Brazil, India, Mexico, USA increases 5% 62% were seen over past two decades. What new realization "un-greying", becoming more common younger age groups. Although elderly adults historically likely than young take their own lives, especially men rising steeply recent some European countries, US, Western Pacific, elsewhere. In rate among 15-24-year-olds trebled between 1950s mid-1980s, although levelling off has declined. "In circles, be called an epidemic," Morton Silverman, psychiatrist University Chicago, helped formulate strategy US. Because these upward shifts, based available data, under 45 account half "completed", successful, committed compared with 44% total 1950s, according WHO. By 2000, had become three leading causes death worldwide. should so today they unknown. But psychiatrists several theories. One through rapid economic upheavals old certainties jobs, relationships political enemies swept away faster can cope. Individualistic cultures leaving without ideals. "There loss sense hope future," Silverman. past, he argues, most adolescents industrialized believed if studied, got job earned income, could expect certain standard living. Most also lasting relationships. Today, "that's turned upside down". This unique world, Diego De Leo Australian Institute Suicide Research Prevention Griffith University, Brisbane. "We [in developed countries] globalizing exporting lot our disadvantages," says. will increase developing tradition, social cohesion, spontaneous support. We rendering culture individualistic making vulnerable suicide." older facing uncertainty, why it? …