by Melani Manel Perera

The 15 to 44 age group is the most affected. Alcohol and drug abuse, physical and mental illness and stress are the main risk factors. The World Health Organisation (WHO) launches a prevention and support campaign.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Each year, about 4,000 people commit suicide in Sri Lanka because of job loss, separations or sudden changes. Suicide is one of the main causes of death in the most economically productive age group (15-44). On average, men take their own lives three times more often than women. Dr Neil Fernando, a psychiatric consultant with the National Institute of Mental Health, presented the data at a seminar held in Colombo yesterday, Suicide Prevention Day.

He pointed out that suicidal behaviour could be conceptualised as a complex process that ranges from a suicidal idea, which can be communicated by verbal or non-verbal means, to planning the suicide, attempting it, and in the worst case, accomplishing it.

Suicidal behaviours are influenced by mental and physical illness, alcohol or the drug abuse, chronic illness, acute emotional distress, violence, and sudden and major changes in an individual's life.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about a million people commit suicide each year.

Sri Lanka's WHO envoy, Dr F.R. Mehta, said WHO has introduced suicide prevention strategies that included support for would-be suicides and their families.

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