Tonga, officially known as the Kingdom of Tonga, is a Polynesian island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a rich culture deeply rooted in Polynesian traditions. Tongans hold a strong sense of community, family, and respect for traditional customs.

Traditional dance forms, like the lakalaka and ma'ulu'ulu, are performed at various events, including weddings, funerals, and celebrations. These dances often incorporate storytelling and are a way of passing down cultural knowledge.

Tonga is one of the few Polynesian kingdoms to maintain its sovereignty throughout colonial times because it was never fully colonised by European powers. However, it did establish treaties with the United Kingdom, which granted it protectorate status in the late 19th century. As a result, Tonga retained its monarchy and a unique form of government.

The legal system in Tonga is Common Law inherited from the colonial-era British Empire. Suicide was a crime at the time, and although decriminalised in England in 1961, it persists in the Tonga’s Criminal Offences Act 1926, (updated 2016) s. 100, which criminalises attempted suicide with a penalty of up to 3 years' imprisonment.

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.