Lifeline Fiji has recorded 72 suicide cases and 66 cases of attempted suicide in the past nine months.
Lifeline Fiji advocate Jeremaia Merekula revealed these statistics while speaking at the World Suicide Prevention Day at Albert Park, Suva yesterday.
“The most fragile and frequent attempters of suicide according to our records are young people that is from the ages of 17-28 and senior citizens who are probably left isolated,” he said.
Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau revealed that Lifeline Fiji has responded to more than 4000 calls and have assisted over 10,000 Fijians over the years.
“Each time there is a loss of life through suicide, there is so much surprise as an instant deep secret sufferings experienced by those are left behind.
“Today has been 57 years when the first 24-hour crisis support line was launched as a result of a distressed man not being able to seek assistance due to some circumstances.”
A representative from Digicel, Liesl Low, said the launch of the toll-free call number by Lifeline Fiji would help reduce the number of suicide cases.
“Just two years ago, it was recorded that an average of 124 suicide deaths were recorded per year and some said that in 36 hours one person attempted to take their life, however things have changed in these years,” she said.
Lifeline Fiji is the only organisation in Fiji dedicated to suicide prevention, intervention, response and providing support. Lifeline Fiji promotes emotional wellbeing to the public while building resilience for Fijian communities.
