25 Crimes

03/10/2024

At a recent event to mark 2024 World Su***de Prevention Day in Abuja, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate announced that his ministry is working with the Office of the Attorney General to address the law that criminalizes attempted su***de.

Nigeria has launched a National Su***de Strategic Framework (2023-2030) to identify risk factors, strategic objectives and interventions and make su***de prevention a priority. In making his announcement, Prof. Pate noted; “One of the key policy actions in this document is the decriminalization of attempted su***de. Instead of punishment and ostracism, we must extend helping hands and support, rather than sensationalizing reportage.”

LifeLine International’s Africa Region Representative Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh commended this move towards decriminalizing su***de saying, “It is critical that we move the discussion about su***de and its prevention to one which is evidenced-based – and away from emotional reactions that is often rooted in religious and cultural opposition. That is how we can address stigma; this is how we can say – it’s ok to ask for help.”

This World Mental Health Day (October 10), Nigeria’s Su***de Prevention Advocacy Working Group and LifeLine International Member, Asido Foundation will host a National Su***de Prevention Conference in Abuja. This conference will serve as a pivotal platform for dialogue among policymakers, mental health professionals, academics, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society organizations with the ultimate goal of fostering collaborative efforts toward the decriminalization of su***de and the creation of a supportive environment for those in crisis and affected by mental health challenges.

LifeLine International is pleased to support the Asido Foundation fundraising efforts. Please consider making a donation to this important event.

Su***des, stigma and the law in NigeriaNigeria has an estimated 15,000 annual deaths from su***de, or 6.9 per 100

12/09/2024

We welcome this Report as an additional resource to the case for su***de decriminalisation and encourage those working for change to draw on the information and policy linkages that it contains.

We value working with global partners, United and IASP, to advocate for change in all of the 25 countries where su***de remains a crime. There is strength through co-operation globally.

We acknowledge the work being done in many countries by policy makers, human rights lawyers, parliamentarians, civil society organisations, researchers and community advocates for the decriminalisation of su***de, in particular those people in three countries that LifeLine International is working with to strengthen crisis support services: Nigeria, Kenya and Malawi.
Taiwo Lateef Sheikh Asido Foundation Befrienders Kenya LifelineMalawi Anppcan Chapter

726,000 people around the world die by su***de every year; for every one person who dies, many more have attempted to take their own lives.

10/09/2024

Recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals su***de is now the third leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds worldwide, up from fourth in 2019 for this same age cohort.

We also see in the WHO key facts that 73% of global su***des occur in low-and middle-income countries. These are the same countries that are home for 90% of the world’s adolescents.

In some countries, the situation is even more concerning: in Australia and Japan su***de is the leading cause of death for people aged under 29 years. In the USA, the su***de rate for black youth almost doubled from 2.55 to 4.82, a rise greater than any other racial/ethnic group in that period. In India, in 2019, youth su***des accounted for 35% to 40% of all su***des, with young women overrepresented in these deaths.

One thing that can be done is to reach and respond to young people in distress and offer help. We can offer that help immediately, easily and in a low-cost way through digital crisis support services such as telephone crisis lines, online chat and crisis text.
Young people use the internet and mobile technologies so these are mediums through which we can encourage their help-seeking in times of difficulty and despair, or during a mental health crisis. Text based crisis services have been found to be effective in reaching highly distressed young people, particularly females, including individuals from culturally diverse and minority populations who do not necessarily seek help elsewhere.

The challenge is to find ways to promote and provide digital crisis support services in every country so that young people see these services are relevant, safe and helpful. Refinements and improvements to the existing digital crisis support services can be made, with the guidance and involvement of young people. This can be done through the civil society organizations in these countries. They just need investment and support to do so. (Ref. https://lnkd.in/g_R_UYe)

16/07/2024

Thankfully, Tori Towey is back in Ireland with her family and we hope things in her life improve. The issue of laws that criminalize su***de remains - not only in UAE/Dubai, but in many other countries worldwide. A person in distress deserves compassionate support towards safety, not law enforcement and punishment. LifeLine International knows crisis support services such as helplines and crisis chat are effective in saving lives.

If you are struggling today and need support please reach out to a helpline: Su***de Hotlines & Crisis Helplines | Free, 24/7 Chat, Text & Phone (findahelpline.com)

For more information about the importance of decriminalising su***de worldwide please visit: https://www.25crimes.org/.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c84j1r3pxk1o

Tori Towey's flight from Dubai has landed in Dublin, nearly two weeks after her ordeal began.

03/07/2024

Engaging in conversation and leading a unified effort, we can highlight the critical role of su***de prevention and push for legal advancements.

Participate at 25crimes.org.

27/06/2024

A universal right, not a luxury.
Join our movement to dismantle stigma and advocate for the decriminalisation of su***de globally.

Discover how at 25crimes.org

25/06/2024

Criminalization only deepens the isolation of those considering su***de, turning their plea for help into a silent struggle.

Amplify their voices and support decriminalisation at 25crimes.org

19/06/2024

Nearly one billion people in 25 countries are denied essential crisis support due to the criminalisation of su***de.

Help us make a change. Visit 25crimes.org now.

13/06/2024

25 countries still treat su***de as a crime, fostering stigma rather than providing help.

Learn about our efforts to shift this paradigm at 25crimes.org.

12/06/2024

Advocating to decriminalising su***de in 25 countries to ensure no one hesitates to seek help.

Make a difference with us at 25crimes.org.