Between 2016 and 2021, the Fiji Police Force reported a total of 1,276 cases of suicides and attempted suicides. This averages to approximately 212 cases each year, with around half resulting in fatalities. Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, presented this information in Parliament on Friday while addressing inquiries about the ministry’s efforts in suicide prevention.
Dr. Lalabalavu noted that 2019 saw the highest incidence of suicide and attempted suicide, recording 244 cases, with the Western Division consistently reporting the most cases annually over the six-year period. He emphasized the need to change the conversation surrounding suicide, urging a shift from silence and stigmatization to openness, understanding, and support.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 800,000 individuals succumb to suicide each year. Dr. Lalabalavu encouraged everyone to engage in discussions about suicide and prevention. He remarked that every conversation, no matter how minor, plays a role in fostering a supportive and understanding community.
“By initiating these crucial discussions, we can dismantle barriers, increase awareness, and cultivate stronger support networks,” he stated. He called for these conversations to take place in various settings, including churches, mosques, sports events, and social gatherings.