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The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Africa has the highest rate of people dying by suicide in the world.<\/p>\n In a statement, the agency said Africa is home to six of the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates globally.<\/p>\n The continent is said to have one psychiatrist for every 500,000 inhabitants \u2013 100 times less than the WHO recommendation.<\/p>\n Around 11 people per 100,000 per year die by suicide in the African region, higher than the global average of nine per 100,000 people, the WHO says.<\/p>\n Mental health problems account for up to 11% of the risk factors associated with suicide, it continued.<\/p>\n The agency added that mental health workers are mostly located in urban areas on the continent.<\/p>\n The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said suicide was a major public health problem, although prevention is rarely a priority in national health programs.<\/p>\n The organisation has now launched a social media suicide prevention campaign in the continent to raise awareness and encourage action.<\/p>\n The social media campaign was launched ahead of World Mental Health Day marked on 10 October.<\/p>\n The WHO aims to reach 10 million people across the continent.<\/p>\n