On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the United Kingdom has appointed the world's first minister for suicide prevention.
Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Jackie Doyle-Price, who is currently the health minister of the country and a Conservative Member of Parliament, as the minister of suicide prevention, according to a blog on The Guardian.
During the appointment of Doyle, May said that the country can end the stigma that has forced too many to suffer in silence and prevent the tragedy (suicides) from taking more lives.
The new role will see Doyle head a ministerial taskforce to work with suicide and self-harm prevention experts, charities, clinics and people personally affected by suicide.
According to a new report by WHO, suicide is the second leading cause of death globally for young people aged between 15 and 19, with at least one death every 40 seconds. The report also said that 79% of suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2016. Suicide accounted for 1.4% of all deaths worldwide, making it the 18th leading cause of death in 2016.