Across the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region, suicide remains a pressing public health concern − one that requires great leadership, compassion and, ultimately, community-driven solutions. Guided by WHO’s LIVE LIFE Initiative for Suicide Prevention and the WHO Regional framework for the future of mental health in the Western Pacific 2023−2030, Member States are moving forward with bold strategies to prevent suicide and promote mental well-being.
CAMBODIA
In Cambodia, a landmark two-day consultation was held in Phnom Penh in January 2025, marking a crucial moment in the country’s journey towards its first national suicide prevention action plan.
Led by His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, the workshop convened over 230 participants from all 25 provinces, representing government, civil society, education and religious sectors.
The message of the workshop was clear: suicide is everyone’s concern.
Participants from different sectors examined risk factors such as intergenerational trauma, stigma and access to lethal means.
Survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime gave powerful testimonies, while young people shared about the silent struggles they face.
“There was a time when I thought about ending my life,” one young woman said. She described her journey towards healing, which began when she met with a mental health counsellor. Her experience and that of many others underscored the importance of having accessible support systems or vulnerable populations.
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Participants exchanged ideas during the workshop in Cambodia, which used WHO’s LIVE LIFE framework. Photo credit: WHO / Ada Moadsiri
Participants also emphasized that not all the answers lie in clinical care. Strong religious and family networks emerged as protective factors. Buddhist monks and religious leaders − considered trusted community counsellors in Cambodia − were highlighted as essential allies in reducing the stigma of mental ill health and advancing prevention of suicide.
“This multisectoral action plan based on LIVE LIFE is a major step forward for Cambodia and will lay the foundation for suicide prevention in the country for many years to come,” declared Dr Chhit Sophal, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse of the Ministry of Health.
PALAU
Palau echoed this commitment with the launch of its National Mental Health Promotion and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy 2025−2035 under the theme “LIVE LIFE in Palau”.
Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services, Mr Raynold B. Oilouch, spoke about the cultural barriers to discussing mental health and the importance of taking collective action: “Our health workers cannot do it alone. As they say, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Likewise, it takes a whole community to effectively combat behavioural and mental health problems.”
A multisectoral and community-driven approach to mental health promotion will be key to reducing stigma and mobilizing community assets for prevention of self-harm. Strategic communication can also generate demand for mental health services and foster a deeper sense of social connection.
Reflecting on the development of the strategy, Mr Oilouch concluded: “Through this strategy, we hope to raise awareness, identify those at risk and provide the support they need − so we can prevent serious consequences, including self-harm. Together, we can save lives.”
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WHO's Dr Huong Thi Giang Tran and Mr Raynold B. Oilouch, Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services of Palau, at the launch of the country's National Mental Health Promotion and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy. Photo credit: WHO / Jasmine Vergara
MONGOLIA
Mongolia has focused on youth mental health. The Government is working to strengthen data collection and to develop culturally adapted mental health interventions that take into account the unique challenges faced by rural populations. A tailored and priorities-oriented suicide prevention strategy is also under way that aims to equip the country with comprehensive and consistent tools to understand and address suicide.
Key objectives include raising awareness on mental health, fight stigma and foster help-seeking behaviours, empowering the national mental health system of care, addressing the social determinants that affect people’s well-being, and involving people with lived experience in disseminating information through strategic communication and planning of activities for the implementation of the strategy.
The Government − together with the National Centre for Mental Health – launched a large-scale communication campaign titled Mental Health Education for All in 2023 that continued throughout 2024, focusing on mental health issues, self-harm, suicide, and alcohol and substance abuse.
An official Youtube channel of the National Centre for Mental Health was further developed with videos and interviews depicting positive stories of people with lived experience sharing their life challenges, how they had managed to cope and how they were able to overcome a crisis.
The spread of knowledge, empowered by this massive campaign, provided the population with important information about where and how to seek help. This resulted in a significant increase in calls to existing helplines as well as visits to access mental health services in the country. These demonstrate the essential role of awareness-raising in removing barriers and fighting stigma to promote the well-being of a population.
PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines, the Department of Health has been advancing community-based mental health programmes, integrating suicide prevention into primary care and youth advocacy.
Under the Government’s 8-Point Action Agenda for the health sector 2023−2028, the Philippines has been developing concrete actions to foster a functional health-care network, prioritizing a primary health care approach with resilient and accessible people-centred health services, and quality mental health care that is comprehensive and consistent with the emerging needs of the population. These represent the core aspects of the commitment of the Government towards the promotion of a more inclusive and liveable society.
The Philippines has made significant progress in suicide prevention in recent years. A pilot surveillance system for suicide attempts and self-harm is now being scaled up by the National Center for Mental Health, ensuring more reliable data to guide interventions. Additional efforts include the roll-out of a capacity-building package for media on responsible reporting of suicide and the development of basic suicide prevention training for schools. These initiatives have contributed to the formulation of the National Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy, which is currently undergoing the formal process of government approval.
Local governments are also engaging media to promote responsible reporting and reduce stigma related to suicide, in line with WHO’s recommendations. In 2022, based on the Mental Health Act 11036, the Department of Health developed Guidelines for Ethical and Responsible Reporting and Portrayal of Suicide in the Media, Audiovisual and Films.
Moreover, multisectoral collaboration and the integration of efforts in different sectors − such as health, education, social welfare and labour − remain essential to achieving real change in how mental health and suicide are addressed in the Philippines.
The evidence shows that a clinical approach alone does not respond fully to the needs of populations affected by these conditions; only an integrated vision and joint collaboration among stakeholders with different expertise and perspectives can provide better outcomes, in terms of recovery, social inclusion, reduction of stigma, increase in help seeking and decrease in suicide rates.
All these commitments and efforts in implementing community-oriented services align with the direction of improvement in health-care provision in the Philippines. They demonstrate a paradigm shift, from a hospital-centred vision of health to a community perspective that puts people and their rights first. Suicide prevention is not just a health issue; it is a societal imperative that calls for empathy, evidence and action.
Weaving a Future of Mental Well-being
Together, these commitments reflect WHO’s regional vision − Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029) – which integrates lived experiences, leadership and investments in health in the Region.
As WHO and Member States observe World Suicide Prevention Day, the Western Pacific Region stands united to strengthen suicide prevention. Through leadership, hope and the courage to share essential, compelling and inspiring stories, the Region is weaving a future where mental health is protected, and every life is valued.