By Deborah Nnamdi
The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, has raised alarm over rising mental health challenges, warning that suicide is now the third leading cause of death among young people. He urged governments to act decisively against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health crises, stressing that inaction could cost millions of lives and weaken economies.
In a video message posted on X on Saturday ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Dr. Tedros underscored the urgency of the upcoming High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, scheduled for September 25.
“Noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, include seven of the world’s top ten causes of death, including cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease,” he said. “In addition, more than one billion people face mental health conditions, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people.”
He noted that beyond the human toll, the global burden of NCDs and mental health conditions imposes enormous social and economic costs. “Apart from cutting lives short and robbing families of their loved ones, these deaths also incur huge costs for health systems and economies,” he said.
According to the WHO chief, countries have been negotiating a political declaration that will be adopted at the UNGA meeting. The draft includes ambitious 2030 targets such as reducing tobacco use by 150 million people, expanding access to mental health care for another 150 million, and ensuring 150 million people achieve control of hypertension.
“Investing in NCD prevention is not a cost,” Dr. Tedros said. “It’s one of the smartest economic decisions any government can make. But often, governments face fierce opposition from industries that profit from unhealthy products.”
He concluded with a call for bold leadership: “The message is clear. Countries that act decisively will save millions of lives, protect families, cut health costs, and unlock economic growth.”
WHO data shows suicide claims over 700,000 lives annually and is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally, with 73 percent of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, the suicide mortality rate stood at 3.5 per 100,000 people as of January 2024, translating to about 15,000 deaths yearly.
The WHO continues to stress the importance of expanding mental health support, particularly for young people, while addressing stigma and scaling up preventive measures.
