Lebanon marks Suicide Prevention Day: A call to break the silence

On average, every 2.1 days, Lebanon loses a life to suicide. That is 160 people every year. Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, Lebanon confronts the weight of this reality. The Internal Security Forces (ISF) provide the country’s official suicide statistics, which serve as stark reminders that behind every number is a human story, a grieving family, and a community left grappling with unanswered questions.

Globally, the toll is staggering; nearly 720,000 people die by suicide annually, making it one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Most of these lives are cut short between the ages of 19 and 30, an age that should be about building futures, not ending them.

Suicide, often shrouded in stigma, is not simply a personal tragedy, it is a public health crisis. Mental health experts stress that many suicides are preventable with the right support systems in place. In Lebanon, where economic collapse, political instability, and collective trauma weigh heavily on society, the conversation is more urgent than ever.

One of the key actors in this effort is Embrace, the local NGO leading Lebanon’s suicide prevention initiatives. Steven Chebaclo, Communications Manager at Embrace, described Suicide Prevention Day as more than just a date on the calendar. “At Embrace, every World Suicide Prevention Day is a renewed commitment. In collaboration with the National Mental Health Program, we strive to raise awareness and to offer a lifeline of hope through our hotline 1564. Our goal is to ensure no one in Lebanon feels alone,” he told The Beiruter.

Chabaclo explains, “the hotline, which operates as a confidential and anonymous safe space, receives an average of 1,000 calls per month. Not every call comes from someone with suicidal thoughts, many are people struggling with emotional distress or simply looking for mental health services in Lebanon”. For Chebaclo, the volume of calls underscores both the need and the hope: people are reaching out, and they are not alone.

Breaking the silence around suicide starts with recognizing that asking for help is not a weakness, but an act of courage. Talking openly about mental health, seeking professional guidance, and supporting one another can save lives.

On this Suicide Prevention Day, Lebanon joins the world in urging compassion, awareness, and action. The statistics are sobering, but they are not destiny. Each of us has a role to play, whether by reaching out to someone who might be struggling or advocating for stronger mental health policies.

Because every 2.1 days, another Lebanese life is lost. And that is one life too many.