Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention

Why is effective action being taken on some drivers of su***de and not others? A newly published analysis highlights the urgent need to address inconsistencies in tackling the commercial drivers of su***de.

The article explores how some products associated with fatal self-harm are regulated to prevent deaths. However, other products such as highly hazardous pesticides remain widely available and promoted. These are often portrayed as ‘safe’, when used appropriately. Therefore, when harm occurs, the blame is shifted onto the people who use the product.

The authors argue that these different approaches are undermining effective su***de prevention globally. They call for a coherent approach.

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/4gboqnV
*Warning: contains content about methods of su***de and self-harm*

***deprevention International Association for Su***de Prevention

Congratulations to Andhra Pradesh’s Natural Farming Programme on winning the 2026 Food Planet Prize, one of the world’s largest environmental awards focused on transforming food systems ➡️ https://edin.ac/4dVw7M8

To celebrate this achievement, we are delighted to share our film ‘A.T.M. – Any Time Money’, which explores how farmers in Andhra Pradesh are returning to natural farming to heal the soil and fight climate change.

Few people realise that soil store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined — around 2,500 billion tonnes. By working with nature rather than against it, these farmers are helping to regenerate ecosystems, improve biodiversity, and build resilience for future generations.

Watch the full film on our YouTube channel⬇️ https://edin.ac/4e7duFk

Written and directed by Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston
Produced by Shadow Puppet Films

A.T.M - Any Time Money: A Natural Farming Approach A.T.M - Any Time Money - is a film about farming and the future of ...

*content warning: self-harm & su***de*
A recently published study, led by colleagues and partners in Bangladesh, has revealed a significant rise in self-poisoning cases – and related deaths – from a highly toxic pesticide.

They observed a consistent increase in self-poisoning cases involving this lethal pesticide over the past decade, with more than 40% of cases resulting in death.

The study shows an urgent need to ban this harmful pesticide in Bangladesh, replacing it with safer, less toxic alternatives.

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/43bFt1E

***deprevention

Join us in Geneva this week at the 79th World Health Assembly.

This evening and on Wednesday, we are supporting two Member State–led side events bringing together Ministers of Health from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Guyana, Kenya and Nigeria, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Environment Programme and the International Association for Su***de Prevention.

Each year, around 700,000 people die by su***de globally, with an estimated 150,000 deaths linked to pesticide poisoning. Evidence shows that regulatory action on highly hazardous pesticides can significantly reduce su***de rates and save tends of thousands of lives.

You can join the WHA79 side event in person or online:
📅 20 May | 18:00–20:00 (CEST)
The Global Problem of Pesticide Su***des: The Time to Act is Now
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
🔗 Register here: https://edin.ac/42vrbZd
🌐 Learn more: https://edin.ac/4d6S3F5

📅 18 May | 18:00–19:30 (CEST)
A Global Pursuit in Su***de Prevention: Turning Evidence into Action
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
🔴 Watch live: https://edin.ac/4d6S3F5

The 18 May event will also feature Nepal and Henry Ford Health, alongside senior experts and government representatives from South Africa and Brazil on su***de prevention and public health action.

***dePrevention

South Africa has officially banned a highly hazardous pesticide, which has been linked to multiple deaths, following a government decision announced last year.

The ban comes amid growing momentum across Africa to phase out highly hazardous pesticides and strengthen protections for public health.

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/4u6wwCn

UCT Division of Environmental Health

Last week, we supported the delivery of a policy roundtable in New Delhi on the “Impact of Paraquat on Public Health in India”, in collaboration with ETI Services.

The event brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and civil society representatives to examine emerging evidence on paraquat poisoning in India and discuss its implications for public health and farmer safety.

Participants endorsed a joint statement calling for the phase-out of paraquat — a highly hazardous pesticide — which will be submitted to India’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Read local news coverage of the event:
Hindustan Times - https://www.hindustantimes.com/brand-stories/roundtable-on-impact-of-paraquat-on-public-health-in-india-101778145683677.html
The Tribune - https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/roundtable-on-impact-of-paraquat-on-public-health-in-india/

Banning highly hazardous pesticides saves lives.

At next week’s 79th World Health Assembly, we will be supporting two member country-led events focused on pesticide su***de prevention:

• An official su***de prevention event covering su***de prevention in general but with a focus on pesticide poisoning.
• A high-level ministerial session: “The Global Problem of Pesticide Su***des: The Time to Act is Now”.

Each year, around 700,000 people die by su***de globally. Around 1 in 5 of these deaths, approximately 150,000 annually, are linked to pesticide poisoning. These deaths disproportionately affect rural communities and farmers, mainly in low-and-middle-income countries.

At WHA79, ministers and experts from Sri Lanka, Guyana, Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan, alongside colleagues from the International Association for Su***de Prevention and the United Nations Environment Programme, will come together to strengthen public health approaches to pesticide su***de prevention, including through primary healthcare, links with non-communicable disease strategies and cross-sector collaboration to save lives.

Ahead of WHA79, we are also sharing Saving Lives, a film following Professor Michael Eddleston’s 30-year journey in pesticide su***de prevention, alongside an interview in Impact magazine reflecting on the challenge of turning evidence into global action.

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.

🔗 Read the article: https://edin.ac/4u5fWTk
🎥 Watch the film: https://edin.ac/4wqfgJZ

You can join the WHA79 side event in person or online:
📅 20 May | 18:00–20:00 (CEST)
The Global Problem of Pesticide Su***des: The Time to Act is Now
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
🔗 Register here: https://edin.ac/42vrbZd

***deprevention
The University of Edinburgh Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria

Today is Earth Day and we are reminded that protecting our planet also means caring for people.

Highly hazardous pesticides don’t just harm ecosystems. They can lead to preventable deaths from pesticide self-poisoning, particularly in rural and agricultural communities. Evidence shows that regulating and restricting these pesticides saves lives, and that safer, effective alternatives exist without compromising agricultural productivity.

Healthy soils play an important role in this system as one of the planet’s largest carbon sinks, helping regulate the climate and sustain food production.

Earlier this month, we screened our film A.T.M - Any Time Money, which highlights how farmers in India are returning to natural farming approaches, at an Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. Around 40 students and staff joined us for an open and thoughtful discussion. The conversation reinforced how closely linked awareness, access and policy are in addressing this issue.

Watch the trailer: https://edin.ac/4n2SpA5

When we care for the environment, we also care for people.

***deprevention

Myanmar and Telangana state in India take action on highly hazardous pesticides, marking important progress on pesticide safety.

Myanmar has banned 55 highly hazardous pesticides, while Telangana in India has introduced a 60-day ban on paraquat to protect public health, farmers, and the environment.

These actions represent a significant step toward reducing pesticide-related harm and preventing avoidable poisonings and su***des, while reinforcing that safer agricultural alternatives already exist.

Read more 👉 https://edin.ac/4cfuKXO

Today is World Health Day and we’re sharing the official trailer for Saving Lives, a short film featuring Professor Michael Eddleston reflecting on his life’s work in pesticide su***de prevention.

As a young doctor in rural Sri Lanka, he saw countless people die after ingesting pesticides in moments of crisis - often without truly wanting to die. That experience set him on a 30-year mission to understand and prevent these deaths.

The film traces the origins of the Centre for Pesticide Su***de Prevention and highlights a simple yet powerful truth: banning the most hazardous pesticides can save tens of thousands of lives.

Through collaboration with communities, researchers, doctors and governments, Michael Eddleston has helped bring about real change - giving people in crisis a better chance to survive.

🎥 Watch the trailer: https://edin.ac/4bUH0yb

***deprevention

Official Trailer: Michael Eddleston: Saving Lives from Poisoning *Content warning – this video contains content about su***de.* Saving Lives is a short film in which Professor Michael Eddleston reflects on his life’s work...