Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Dr Catharina Boehme has laid emphasis on talking openly about suicide and suicide prevention, showing compassion, offering support, and listening without judgment.

“On World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, let us start the conversation. Talk openly about suicide and suicide prevention, show compassion, offer support, and listen without judgment. Change the narrative. Suicide is not inevitable, it is preventable —and must be prevented,” said Dr Catharina.

WHO’s South-East Asia Region comprises the following 10 Member States - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

World Suicide Prevention Day, marked annually on 10 September, is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The theme for 2024-2026 ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ is about moving from a culture of silence and shame to understanding and support.

“It encourages people, communities, institutions and governments—all of us—to have open and honest discussions about suicide and suicidal behavior,” said the Officer-in-Charge.

With an estimated 208 000 lives lost every year, suicide is a major issue in the South-East Asia Region, said Dr Catharina in a statement. “It remains one of the leading causes of death, affecting people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.”

By breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, Dr Catharina said they create a culture where people feel safe to seek help.

“It is vital to ensure that no one feels alone, and that everyone knows support systems and interventions are available,” he said.

Dr Catharina Boehme said suicides are preventable but prevention is not easy. She said it requires collective effort, awareness, and a commitment to fostering hope, healing, and connection.

“More than responding to individual crises, it is about building strong and inclusive communities where people feel connected, valued, and supported. Even small acts of kindness, honest conversations, or simply being present for someone can make a profound difference,” she said.

The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office has been providing technical support to Member States to implement the LIVE LIFE initiative, a package of evidence-based interventions for suicide prevention and underlying cross-cutting pillars.

The LIVE LIFE implementation guide provides technical guidance for the delivery of four key multisectoral interventions and six foundational pillars.

The four interventions are limiting access to the means of suicide; interacting with media for responsible reporting of suicide; fostering socio-emotional life-skills in young people; early identification and support to everyone affected by suicide and self-harm.

The implementation of these is supported by six foundational pillars - situation analysis; multisectoral collaboration; awareness raising and advocacy; capacity building; financing and surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.

Dr Catharina Boehme said the interventions can be integrated into health, community and other settings, and are a starting point to building a multi-level, multi-sectoral approach to suicide prevention.

“As we reflect on these strategies, let us remember suicide prevention starts with us. It is our words, our compassion and our patient listening that can save lives,” she said.