Suicidio entre adolesente y homber hoben ta subi den Amerika: PAHO ta alerta riba necesidat urgente pa preveni mas cu 18,000 hobennan di edad 10 te 24 a muri pa suicidio na nos region den 2021; e cantidad a subi cu 38% durante 21 aña, cu un incremento mas liher entre mucha y mucha di 10 te 14 aña. Washington, DC., 20 Mei 2026 (PAHO) – Suicidio entre adolesente y hoben den Amerika a subí durante e ultimo dos decada y ta concede pa e tercer causa di morto entre hende di edad 10 te 24, segun estudionan nobo publica den The Lancet Regional Health – Americas. Den 2021, 18,157 adolecente y hoben a muri pa suicidio den e region. Aunke tres di cada cuater morto pa suicidio a tuma luga entre hombernan, e incremento a wordo mas liher entre muhe nan. E subida mas fuerte a wordu observa den e grupo di edad mas hoben, 10 te 14 aña, generando preocupacion publico di salud urgente. “E hecho cu e cantidad di suicidio entre hoben nan a subi 38% den apenas mas cu dos decada — compará cu un aumento di 17% den e poblacion general — ta un alarma,” a bisa Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director di Organisacion Panamericano di Saud (PAHO). “Nos mester reforza esfuerzonan di prevencion, specialmente pa mucha, adolesente, y hoben adulto, y segura cu nan ricibí apoyo na tempo.” Varios factornan prevenibel cu ta contribui na aumento E artículo ta splika diferente factornan ku por ta relashona ku esaki aumento, incluí condicionnan di salud mental (manera deprecion y ansiedad cu ta aparece na edad mas hoben), uzo di substancia, exposicion excesivo na medio digital y cyberbullying, presion social, i acceso facil na medio letal. Evidencia tambe ta mustra cu hopi di e factornan aki ta prevenibel of trata, specialmente ora cu ta identifica prome. “E aumento di mortalidad suicidario den poblacion mas hoben ta yama pa mas deteccion tempran y intervencion mas fuerte den scol y comunidat,” a bisa Renato Oliveira e Souza, jefe di Unidat di Salud Mental y uso di substansia di PAHO. “Ta esencial pa continua expande accesso na servicio di salud mental yi reforsa medianan cu ta orienta pa restringí acceso na metodo letal. Basa riba dato for di Organisacion Mundial di Salud (OMS) Global Health Estimates cu ta cubri 35 pais den e periodo 2000 te 2021, e studionan a haña cu e tasa di mortalidat di suicidio den e grupo di edad aki (10-24) a subi for di 5.7 te 7.84 morto pa 100,000 hende, representando un aumento anual prome di 1.48%. E tendencianan a varia entre paisnan y subregionan, pero e incremento tabata hunto, cu nivel halto particularmente den Amerika di Norte i algun pais di Southern Cone. E estudionan, ku tabata hunga pa spesialistanan di PAHO i Renaissance School of Medicine na Stony Brook University den New York, tambe ta subraya e importancia di implementa programanan di promocion di salud mental den scol y desaroyo di habilidad socio-emocional, mehora identificasion tempran y siguimento di hende na riesgo, y promove reportenan responsable pa medio di comunicacion tocante suicidio. Iniciativa regional pa preveni suicidio Desde 2000, e tasa di mortalidad di suicidio den e poblacion general di Amerika a subi mas cu 17%, haci e region e unico den mundo caminda e tendencia aki ta continua subi. Como respuesta, PAHO a lansa e Iniciativa Regional pa Prevencion di Suicidio den 2025 pa yuda paisnan implementa intervenicionnan cu ta basa riba evidencia. E iniciativa tin como meta reforsa plannan nacional, amplia acceso na servicio di salud mental, y reduci estigma riba salud mental y suicidio. “Suicidio ta afecta famianan, comunidadnan, y tur sociedatnan, y por preveni,” Dr. Barbosa a agrega. “Cu compromiso politico, inversion y colaboracion entre sectornan, nos por salba bida.”

Washington, DC., 20 May 2026 (PAHO) – Suicide among adolescents and young adults in the Americas has increased over the past two decades and remains the third cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24, according to a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas. In 2021, 18,157 adolescents and young people died by suicide in the region. While three out of every four suicide deaths occurred among males, the increase has been faster among females. The sharpest rise was observed in the youngest age group, those aged 10 to 14 years, raising urgent public health concerns. “The fact that the suicide rate among young people has risen 38% in just over two decades — compared to a 17% increase in the general population — is a wake-up call,” said Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “We must strengthen prevention efforts, especially for children, adolescents, and young adults, and ensure they receive timely support.” Multiple preventable factors driving the increase The article highlights several factors that may be associated with this increase, including mental health conditions (such as depression and anxiety appearing at younger ages), substance use, excessive exposure to digital environments and cyberbullying, social pressures, and easy access to lethal means. Evidence also shows that many of these factors are preventable or treatable, especially when identified early. “The increase in suicide mortality among younger populations calls for stronger early detection and interventions in schools and communities,” said Renato Oliveira e Souza, Chief of PAHO’s Mental Health and Substance Use Unit. “It is essential to continue expanding access to mental health services and strengthening measures aimed at restricting access to lethal means.” Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Estimates covering 35 countries between 2000 and 2021, the study found that the suicide mortality rate in this age group (10-24) rose from 5.7 to 7.84 deaths per 100,000 population, representing an average annual rise of 1.48%. Trends varied across countries and subregions, but the increase was widespread, with particularly high levels in North America and some Southern Cone countries. The study, conducted by specialists from PAHO and the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University in New York, also underscores the importance of implementing school-based mental health promotion and socio-emotional skills programs, improving early identification and follow-up of people at risk, and promoting responsible media reporting on suicide. Regional initiative to prevent suicide Since 2000, the suicide mortality rate in the general population of the Americas has increased by more than 17%, making the region the only one in the world where this trend continues to rise. In response, PAHO launched the Regional Suicide Prevention Initiative in 2025 to support countries in implementing evidence-based interventions. The initiative aims to strengthen national plans, expand access to mental health services, and reduce stigma around mental health and suicide. “Suicide affects families, communities, and entire societies, and is preventable,” Dr. Barbosa added. “With political commitment, investment, and collaboration across sectors, we can save lives.”