IASP has published an updated position paper on the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, released ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2026.
Attempting suicide remains a criminal or punishable offence in a number of countries, most of which retain provisions inherited from colonial era penal codes or apply sanctions under religious law. These laws expose people in acute distress, many with mental health conditions, to arrest, prosecution, and penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. IASP considers that criminalisation impedes the prevention of suicidal behaviour and encourages every country where suicide attempts are still illegal or punishable to develop and implement legislation that decriminalises them.
The paper sets out the evidence base for IASP’s policy position, first adopted in May 2020. It updates the original 2019 document and incorporates the substantial body of new research, policy guidance, and practical experience gathered since then, including the WHO Policy Brief on the Health Aspects of Decriminalisation of Suicide and Suicide Attempts.
The evidence reviewed supports decriminalisation on public health, human rights, and ethical grounds. There is no credible evidence that criminalisation deters suicidal behaviour, and some studies associate it with higher national suicide rates. Criminalisation deters help seeking, drives systematic underreporting, perpetuates stigma, and constrains governments from acting to prevent suicide. Decriminalisation has not been shown to increase suicide, and it is identified by the WHO, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013 to 2030 as a critical step in prevention.
The paper also makes clear that legal reform is necessary but not sufficient. Its benefits depend on concurrent investment in mental health services, surveillance, training, and stigma reduction, and reform must be actively protected through sustained coalition building and advocacy.
IASP remains committed to advocating for decriminalisation globally and to supporting its members and partners in national reform efforts.
The position paper is available to download here.
