63 suicide deaths recorded this year, Minister sounds alarm

Fiji has recorded 63 suicide deaths in the first eight months of this year, a figure Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu says is a national warning that cannot be ignored.

Between January and August, the country also recorded 47 attempted suicides, bringing the total number of suicide-related cases to 110. 

The Minister told Parliament the numbers show suicide remains a serious health concern, especially among youth, the elderly and vulnerable communities.

Dr Lalabalavu urged families, schools and communities to break the silence and start the conversation on mental health.

Youth, elderly and Indo-Fijian males most affected

Thirteen youths aged 18–24 died by suicide, while 11 others attempted it. The elderly recorded 11 deaths and five attempts.

Indo-Fijian males remain disproportionately affected, with 41 deaths and 33 attempts, compared with 21 deaths and 13 attempts among iTaukei. Overall, 70 per cent of all cases involved men. Hanging and chemical ingestion were the most common methods.

The Western Division recorded the highest numbers with 32 deaths and 30 attempts, while the Southern Division recorded a drastic decline with eight deaths and two attempts.

The Minister said suicide in Fiji was driven by mental health challenges, unemployment, family violence, substance abuse and limited rural mental health access. He said the 2020 paraquat ban continued to help reduce access to harmful substances.

He acknowledged the National Committee for the Prevention of Suicide (NCOPS) for strengthening outreach, school-based programs, hotline promotion and community awareness.

‘Talk about it’

Dr Lalabalavu urged Fijians to have open conversations in homes, churches, workplaces and social spaces.
“In our churches, our mosques, our sporting fields, even our kava sessions — let us start these conversations.”

He assured those struggling that support exists: “Reach out — we are here for you.”