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The 1.5 degree barrier is likely to be hit in the next five years. : Pixabay Pixabay Licence

The planet is set to break through the 1.5 degree warming barrier within five years making efforts to mitigate climate change even more urgent.

7 perspectives
Record heat

Record heat makes climate crisis very real

The planet is set to break through the 1.5 degree warming barrier within five years making efforts to mitigate climate change even more urgent.

Environment
The threat of punitive action reinforces the stigma associated with suicide and deters people from seeking mental health and social support services. : Via Pixabay Pixabay Licence

If the aim of criminalising suicide attempts is to deter people from ending their lives and protect the vulnerable, it’s failed.

Decriminalising suicide

Criminalising suicide only makes it worse

If the aim of criminalising suicide attempts is to deter people from ending their lives and protect the vulnerable, it’s failed.

Health
There may be a reluctance in certain countries to decriminalise suicide due to the fear that removing this deterrent may increase suicide rates. : Priscilla Du Preez (Unsplash) Unsplash License

There are other legislations and programmes to help prevent suicide other than criminalising suicide attempts.

Decriminalising suicide

The alternatives which can help prevent suicide

There are other legislations and programmes to help prevent suicide other than criminalising suicide attempts.

Human Interest
Decriminalising suicide is just the beginning of a long and arduous journey towards creating a society that values the complexity of mental health issues and provides the necessary support. : Alex Ivashenko (Unsplash) Unsplash License

Malaysia’s move to decriminalise suicide is a positive step but much more is needed to help those suffering.

Decriminalising suicide

Why decriminalising suicide is not enough

Health
The government, police and medical professionals play a critical role in easing the suicide crisis in India. : Priyash Vasava (Unsplash) Unsplash License

Despite having the law on their side, people who attempted suicide in India are continually harassed by authorities and don’t receive appropriate help.

Decriminalising suicide

How India continues to punish those who attempt suicide

Health
Individuals with suicidal behaviours would now be unlikely to face criminal penalties in Pakistan. : Blogtrepreneur via Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/143601516@N03/27571522123/) CC BY 2.0

In December 2022, Pakistan repealed the penal code criminalising attempted suicide. Now the focus can shift to better understanding the scope of the crisis.

Decriminalising suicide

With suicide no longer a crime, the real work begins

Law
Decriminalising suicide is just one step in ending prejudice against suicide survivors and patients. More needs to be done to support those who are affected. : Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0

More countries are realising that punishing individuals doesn’t prevent them from acting on suicidal thoughts but simply puts them in greater distress.

8 perspectives
Decriminalising suicide

Suicide is not a crime

Law
Genetically, the signs of Down syndrome are the same, but people with it have widely varying levels of independence. : Carlos Palácio CC 0

With prenatal genetic screening now routine, it’s relevant to ask whether prospective parents or scientists understand enough about the results.

Gene screen

The ethical minefield of screening for disabilities

Health
Although individually very rare, collectively, rare diseases affect huge numbers of people. : James Cridland CC BY 2.0

‘Rare’ diseases are anything but. And with cheaper DNA sequencing, patients’ lives will be transformed.

Gene screen

Why life is about to get better for patients with rare diseases

Health