Men account for majority of suicides in Fiji - Kiran

Fijian men continue to be the most affected by suicide, with 370 of the 489 lives lost between 2020 and 2024 being male.

An additional 243 attempted suicides were also recorded among men during this period.

This was revealed by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, as Fiji commemorates World Suicide Prevention Day.

She says the statistics are deeply concerning and underscore a national crisis that is claiming male lives at an alarming rate.

Kiran says social expectations often discourage men from expressing vulnerability, and this silence is costing lives.

She adds that the Western Division recorded the highest prevalence, with 43 percent of suicide cases and 49 percent of attempted suicides.

The most affected age group is young people aged 18 to 24, followed closely by teenagers aged 13 to 17, and the elderly over 60 — showing that suicide affects Fijian males across all generations.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the toll-free helplines: 1325, 1560, 5626, 1543, the Fiji Police, or a trusted medical professional.