In Cambodia, as in other Southeast Asian countries, suicide – especially among young men – is a major public health crisis, exposing gaps in mental health care and worsening socioeconomic pressures.
The issue took center stage this week at a two-day workshop hosted by the Health Ministry. Officials joined international stakeholders, including the World Health Organization and USAID, to draft a national suicide prevention action plan.
In 2024, hospitals across the country recorded at least 212 suicide cases, according to Health Ministry data presented at the workshop. Men made up 79% of the cases, with most living in Phnom Penh.
Yet these figures may not grasp the full scope of the mental health crisis, which often goes underreported.
In the first half of 2023, there were 473 suicide cases, up 12% from the same time in 2022, according to reports from the National Police. By the end of 2022, a total of 873 people committed suicide.
“Mental health problems are on the rise, with many factors now contributing to suicide,” said Hoeur Sethul, president of the Cambodia Association for Counselors and Psychologists.
Sethul pointed to family problems and economic struggles – like mounting debt – as major pressures on mental health, particularly for adolescents and adults. Without proper care, he said, these issues can lead to tragedy.
In 2023, microfinance institutions in Cambodia faced scrutiny after borrowers claimed predatory loans and aggressive repayment tactics drove some to desperation and suicide.
Additionally, Cambodia ranked the unhappiest country in ASEAN in 2024, according to the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Center. Its annual World Happiness Report cited weak social support, low income, poor health, limited freedom, and corruption.
Amid mounting socioeconomic challenges, mental health care in the country has lagged due to scarce resources and low public awareness, experts and officials said Wednesday at the workshop’s closing session.
Key hurdles include underreporting, a limited mental health budget, and weak inter-ministerial coordination.
Koy Vanny, a Health Ministry secretary of state, said many Cambodians who need mental health care do not seek it, citing low awareness and limited infrastructure.
He also noted that Cambodia aims to cut suicide rates by a third by 2030, aligning with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
The country’s struggle to reduce suicide rates mirrors a global mental health crisis, hitting teens, young adults, and low-income countries hardest.
The WHO reports nearly 726,000 suicides worldwide each year, with many more attempts. It’s the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.
Other ASEAN nations are also hit hard. In 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death for middle-aged Thais and young Singaporeans.
In Cambodia, prevention hinges on inter-ministerial teamwork, mental health programs in schools and workplaces, and public services, said Sethul, who is a licensed psychotherapist.
“Organizations are doing more than the ministries,” Sethul said, urging government departments to step up cooperation with partners and take more initiative. “Mental health care and advocacy shouldn’t rely solely on NGOs.”
“It’s a major public health issue that needs urgent action,” he said. “Prevention is possible with evidence-based, low-cost interventions and a comprehensive, multisectoral approach.”