Country Profile
Papua New Guinea
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Are You In A Crisis Right Now?
Papua New Guinea
Is Suicide Decriminalised?
Has the country decriminalised suicide, with clear legal frameworks and policy positions?
No
Are Crisis Lines Available?
Is free, confidential support from a helpline or hotline available? Status provided by find a helpline.
Yes
Member of
National Suicide Prevention Strategy?
Is there a national suicide prevention strategy, such as from the WHO, and does include decriminalisation, if known?
No
Population in Need of Support Per Year
Based on the WHO likely attempted suicide rate.
As a calculation of population size against suicide rate
Strength Of Support (Local Qualitative Assessment)
Population
Suicide Rate Per 100K Per Year, all Sexes (SDG 3.4.2)
per 100,000
WHO 2019 for SDG 3.4.2. Global average 1 per 100,000
Suicide Deaths Per Year (By Population)
per annum
As a calculation of population size against suicide rate
Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is home to 839 living languages. Languages with statutory recognition are Tok Pisin, English, Hiri Motu, and Papua New Guinean Sign Language. Within these language groups are many customary laws and colourful traditions and practices.
Papua New Guinea, like many other nations, inherited colonial-era laws from the British Empire when suicide was a crime. Although England decriminalised suicide in 1961, remnants of this colonial-era law persist in Section 311 of Papua New Guinea's Criminal Code Act 1974, which makes attempting suicide a crime, with a penalty of imprisonment for up to one year for those convicted.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for the decriminalisation of suicide and suicide attempts. Finding out more and removing such laws removes stigma and allows avenues for providing appropriate mental health support to individuals in crisis.
Criminalising suicide punishes distress. Decriminalising suicide saves lives.
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