Join us at the 79th World Health Assembly

Member Country-Led, Ministerial Side Event

Organised by

Sri Lanka, Guyana, Kenya, Nigeria & Pakistan, in collaboration with UNEP, International Association for Suicide Prevention & supported by the University of Edinburgh.

About the event

Pesticide self-poisoning is one of the most common and lethal suicide methods worldwide, accounting for an estimated 20% of all suicides, or up to 150,000 deaths annually. The true scale is likely to be higher due to stigma and under-reporting. Highly hazardous pesticides are often used impulsively in moments of crisis, yet evidence shows that restricting access saves lives. Studies show that national bans and regulatory actions can reduce suicide rates by 28% to over 70%, especially among rural communities, young people and women.

This session will convene national leaders, technical experts and global stakeholders to share experiences and advance coordinated action across health systems, ministries and communities. Participants will explore how pesticide suicide prevention can be integrated into broader NCD strategies, primary healthcare and national public health systems while strengthening multi-sector sector collaborations to save lives.

The World Health Organization regards pesticide regulation as a cost-effective mental health intervention aligned with its Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030 and LIVE LIFE framework. Evidence shows pesticide bans reduce suicide rates without increasing other methods, supporting means restriction for SDG Target 3.4.

Expected Outcomes

• Renewed political commitment to pesticide suicide prevention
• Integration into national health and regulatory policies
• Strengthened multi-sector collaboration
• Identifying resources for scale-up
• Enhanced global knowledge sharing and visibility
• Measurable national commitments and targets
• Sustained international coordination and follow-up action

Watch a recording of the event.

The University of Edinburgh is also supporting an official side event:

A Global Pursuit of Suicide Prevention: Turning Evidence into Action

Monday 18th May, 2026

18:00 to 19:30 (CEST)

Geneva, Switzerland

Watch it live here:

Saving Lives from Poisoning: Banning highly toxic pesticides saves lives

Ahead of WHA79, we have launched a new short film about Professor Michael Eddleston‘s 30-year journey in pesticide suicide prevention.

As a young doctor in rural Sri Lanka, Professor Eddleston witnessed the devastating impact of pesticide self-poisoning, often involving people in severe distress who did not wish to die. That experience shaped his lifelong commitment to prevention.

Working with communities, researchers, doctors and governments, he has helped bring about pesticide bans that give people in crisis a better chance to survive.

In an Edinburgh Impact interview sharing the film, Professor Eddleston spoke about his work in Sri Lanka and how restricting access to how restricting access to highly toxic pesticides has saved hundreds of thousands of lives and why global action is now within reach.

Content warning – this video and article contains content about suicide and self harm. If you are struggling or or feeling suicidal, use this link to find an international helpline – https://findahelpline.com/

For any inquiries, email sheila.patel@ed.ac.uk