The World Health Organization (WHO) shared in its first global suicide-prevention report that one person in some part of the world commits suicide every 40 seconds.

A great majority of suicide cases come from in low- and middle-income countries and, self-poisoning by pesticide is the leading cause. Other common methods of suicide are hanging and, through the utilization of guns.

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The recent suicide of iconic comedian Robin Williams has once again put to light the risk factors of suicide, which includes depression and anxiety. 

Rory O'Connor, consultant for the WHO report and leader of the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, shared that although there are suicide-prevention strategies in place in first world countries, the developing world still needs to devise ways to address the issue.

"This report is long overdue. What we need, especially in lower-and middle-income countries, is to encourage politicians and people in positions of power to start developing these strategies," O'Connor stated.

Intervention strategies include policies which promote mental health, access to health care, restriction to methods of suicide such as gun prevention and/or regulation and, therapy to reduce the use of alcohol.

O'Connor believes that existing programs from countries such as Japan, Switzerland and Scotland can be used as models, but that methods and strategies should customized based on each country and each country's cultural traditions and beliefs.

David Lester, a professor of psychology and suicide expert at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, shared that although the findings are mind-opening, they are lacking.

"How are we making our citizens so miserable, depressed, feeling that life is meaningless? The high rates of drug use, depression and suicide demand a much more profound discussion of what is wrong with society today," he stated.

WHO chief Margaret Chan stated that suicide truly is a tragedy and, that they found that before a successful attempt, there have been numerous failed attempts in the past.

"The impact on families, friends and communities is devastating and far-reaching, even long after persons dear to them have taken their own lives," she shared.