The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate has itemized evidence-based strategies to prevent suicide.

According to him, they include strengthening economic support, improving access to qualitative and affordable mental health services, and creating a protective environment by reducing access to lethal means among people at risk of suicide.

Pate also said promoting connectedness through peer norm programmes and community engagement, teaching coping and problem-solving skills, identifying and supporting people at risk of suicide, lessen harm and prevent future risk, and collating data on suicidal behaviours to inform planning and intervention.

Pate said this at a press briefing in commemoration of the 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day in Abuja, with the theme, ‘Creating hope through action.