Between 2016 and 2021, the Fiji Police Force reported a total of 1,276 suicides and attempted suicides. This amounts to an annual average of 212 cases, with approximately half resulting in death.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu brought this issue to light in Parliament on Friday while responding to inquiries about the ministry’s suicide prevention initiatives.
Dr. Lalabalavu revealed that the peak year for suicide and attempted suicide cases was 2019, which recorded 244 incidents. Moreover, the Western Division consistently saw the highest number of cases over the past six years.
He emphasized the importance of changing the conversation surrounding suicide, advocating for a shift from silence and stigma to openness, understanding, and support.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 800,000 individuals die by suicide annually.
Dr. Lalabalavu called for collective action to spark discussions about suicide and its prevention, asserting that every dialogue, regardless of its scale, plays a role in fostering a supportive and understanding community.
He urged people to initiate these important conversations in various settings, including churches, mosques, sports fields, and kava gatherings.