Brazil runs suicide prevention awareness campaign

Held by the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP) to mark the World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, the Yellow September campaign aims to demystify the issue and raise public awareness of the fact that suicide can be prevented.

Suicide involves sociocultural, genetic, and environmental causes, but existence of a mental disorder is regarded as strong risk factor. According to a World Psychiatry survey, a mental disorder diagnosis would apply in 96.8% of suicide cases.

According to ABP Chairman Antônio Geraldo da Silva, “this does not mean that suicide is always related to a mental disorder, but we must bear in mind that mental disorders are an important risk factor for suicide,” said the psychiatrist.

In the list of mental disorders that increase suicide rates are depression, bipolar disorder, and those resulting from alcohol and other psychoactive substance addiction. “Personality disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety attacks should also be observed carefully,” says Silva.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 800,000 people commit suicide each year worldwide, equivalent to one suicide incident every 40 seconds. In Brazil, the figures are also striking: according to the Mortality Information System of the Ministry of Health, 11,821 suicide cases were reported in 2012, an average of 32 cases per day.

The Yellow September campaign takes place around the country, and several cities have joined. Since the beginning of the month, many monuments have been lighted in yellow to support the campaign.

Translated by Mayra Borges