Reducing Suicide in Jordan: A National, Health, and Community Responsibility

Dr. Walid Sarhan

Talking about suicide is not talking about weakness, guilt, or personal failure. It is talking about psychological pain that may reach a dangerous level if it is not understood early and addressed with seriousness, compassion, and competence. In Jordan, as in many countries around the world, this issue cannot be handled only through reaction, but through a public health approach, early prevention, and integration among the family, school, media, health system, law, and society. Data from the World Health Organization indicate that Jordan has achieved a 17% decrease in suicide rates since 2019, with improvement in integrating mental health services into primary healthcare. However, challenges remain, including stigma, limited resources, and insufficient collection of psychological data and indicators. (World Health Organization)

Reducing suicide in Jordan first requires acknowledging that prevention is possible. Most people who go through severe psychological crises do not want death as much as they want the pain to stop. Here, the most important message becomes this: every person experiencing severe despair needs containment, treatment, and support, not blame, intimidation, or neglect. Treating suicide as a mental health and social issue, more than a punitive issue, is an approach supported by international standards in mental health. United Nations documents related to Jordan show that the country has the National Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan 2022–2026, along with efforts to train family physicians on the World Health Organization’s mhGAP program. (The United Nations in Jordan)

In my view, the concerned parties in Jordan should act within clear and integrated roles:

First: The role of the state and the Ministry of Health

What is needed is to strengthen mental health services and bring them closer to people, rather than keeping them limited to a small number of centers or major cities only. Mental healthcare must be an essential part of primary healthcare, so that citizens can visit a family physician or health center and receive an initial psychological assessment and early referral when needed. Jordan has made progress in this area. According to the World Health Organization, 1,120 primary healthcare workers across 278 centers have been trained, and by the end of 2024, all family physicians in Jordan, specialists and residents, had received mhGAP training. This is an important step, but it requires continuity, expansion, and monitoring of implementation quality. (WHO)

Second: The role of hospitals and the health sector

There must be clear protocols for dealing with people at high risk, whether in emergency departments, clinics, or general hospitals. Any patient showing severe despair, major depression, a mental disorder, addiction, or signs of psychological trauma needs serious assessment, a safety plan, close follow-up, and family involvement when appropriate. We also need to strengthen community mental health services and outpatient clinics, and not limit intervention to the moment of crisis only. Strategic mental health directions in Jordan point to the need to expand psychiatric units in general hospitals and community services across governorates. (elhassanlearning.jo)

Third: The role of the family

The family is the first line of defense. For many people, withdrawal, depression, or talk about worthlessness may appear before a major crisis. What the family needs to do is not interrogate the person or surround them with criticism, but to listen, reduce isolation, take any expression of despair or desire to disappear seriously, and take the initiative to seek specialized help. In our Arab society, psychological suffering is often misunderstood as weak faith or lack of patience, and this is a harmful mistake. Real support begins with compassion, not judgment.

Understanding the importance of social relationships and family in improving mental health may help highlight the role of human closeness and family support in reducing isolation and supporting people who are going through severe psychological distress.

Fourth: The role of schools and universities

Schools and universities are not only places of education; they are also places for early detection of psychological distress. Counselors, teachers, and faculty members must be trained to notice sharp changes in behavior, such as isolation, sudden academic decline, impulsivity, or signs of depression, anxiety, and disturbance after bullying, losses, or severe stress. Building a safe school environment that opposes bullying and humiliation is a direct part of prevention. UNICEF in Jordan has supported the development of materials and tools for mental health and well-being among adolescents and young people, including safe environments free from violence and bullying. (UNICEF)

Fifth: The role of the media

The media is an extremely important partner, and it can be part of the solution or part of the problem. Irresponsible media coverage may increase harm, while professional coverage may save lives. The media should avoid sensationalism, harmful details, and language that glorifies the act, simplifies it, or presents it as a solution. Instead, it should focus on awareness, the possibility of treatment, encouraging people to seek help, and highlighting stories of recovery and resilience. The World Health Organization clearly calls for national suicide prevention strategies and responsible public discourse around mental health. (World Health Organization)

Sixth: The role of religious leaders and local community leaders

In Jordan, religious and social speech has a strong influence. Therefore, a discourse of compassion, encouragement to seek treatment, rejection of stigma, and support for bereaved families is highly important. What is needed is to move away from mere condemnation and move closer to a discourse that connects the preservation of life, compassion, treatment, and social responsibility toward those who suffer in silence.

Seventh: The role of legislation and public policy

A preventive approach requires that a person going through a psychological crisis feels they will receive help, not punishment. A United Nations document on Jordan states that 137 suicide cases were recorded in 2022, and also indicates that attempted suicide in public places has been criminalized since 2022. In my view, any effective policy should prioritize treatment, psychological assessment, and social intervention, and move away from anything that may increase fear of seeking help or push people toward more concealment and isolation. (The United Nations in Jordan)

Eighth: The role of civil society and non-governmental institutions

Associations, youth initiatives, and psychosocial support institutions can bridge the gap between people and official services, especially in less advantaged areas and among the most vulnerable groups. Regular awareness campaigns, support groups, family counseling programs, and early intervention after crises are also practical and effective tools when built on scientific foundations.

It is also important to pay attention to the relationship between substance use and mental health, because some people may turn to drugs as a way to escape psychological pain or pressure, which may increase risk instead of solving the problem. The article on drugs and mental disorders may help explain this complex relationship more clearly.

Core pillars of a national suicide prevention program in Jordan

In practical terms, reducing suicide in Jordan requires a coherent national program built on several pillars:

Raising public awareness, reducing stigma, improving access to treatment, training health and education professionals, supporting mental health in schools and universities, improving the quality of data and monitoring, and developing a multisectoral response that includes health, education, media, social affairs, and religious and community actors. Reports by the World Health Organization and UNICEF in Jordan confirm that the shortage of specialists, weak access to services, and the need to expand integration into primary care remain central issues that require organized and sustained investment. (World Health Organization)

In daily life, education about reducing stress and improving daily mental health may be a supportive step, but it does not replace specialized assessment when there is severe despair, thoughts of self-harm, or a clear decline in daily functioning.

Conclusion

The conclusion is that suicide is not an unavoidable fate. The more aware a society is, the closer a family is, the more attentive a school is, the more responsible the media is, and the more accessible and competent health services are, the lower the risks become and the greater the chances of saving lives. Protecting a person begins with listening to them, understanding their suffering, and connecting them to help at the right time. This is a national, moral, and human duty shared by all parties.

Important note: If a person is in immediate danger or has thoughts of harming themselves, help should be sought immediately from local emergency services, the nearest emergency department, or a trusted person, and the person should not be left alone.

Dr. Walid Sarhan
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist
Amman - Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan