Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention

10/09/2026

This ***dePreventionDay, we’re celebrating and recognising the important role of pesticide regulators. By limiting access to acutely toxic pesticides, they are making a significant contribution to global su***de prevention.

Here are just some of the many men and women across the globe who work quietly behind the scenes to make our world a safer place.

➡️ Mr. Hasmath Ali (Trinidad and Tobago), who is implementing a national roadmap for highly hazardous pesticides.
➡️ Dr. Federico Alejandro Moncada Chévez (Honduras), who recently led an assessment of data on pesticide poisoning and deaths.
➡️ Mr. Kenneth Chipere (Zimbabwe), who played a key role in developing a national strategy to mitigate the risks posed by highly hazardous pesticides.
➡️ Ms. Zinhle Gama (Eswatini), who has been spearheading work in Eswatini. Through her leadership, four highly hazardous pesticides have been identified and proposed for regulatory action.
➡️ Mrs. Fadila M. Kurfi (Nigeria), who helps lead the work of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
➡️ Mr. Raphael Mwezi (Tanzania), who has spearheaded research into pesticide poisoning in Tanzania, showing that intentional pesticide poisoning is a major issue.
➡️ Dr. J.A.Sumith (Sri Lanka), a former regulator, who played an important role in the listing of two pesticides under the Rotterdam Convention.

View their full profiles ➡️ https://edin.ac/4xk4CUq

***deprevention
UCT Division of Environmental Health United for Global Mental Health Centre for Environmental Justice And Development - CEJAD International Association for Su***de Prevention Pesticide Action Network UK

13/08/2026

A new project has taken an important first step towards closing Indonesia’s evidence gap on pesticide su***des.

The Centre for Pesticide Su***de Prevention (CPSP) has been delighted to support the project, which has been led by Dr Sandersan Onie and Prof. Y Andi Trisyono.

The researchers have conducted two complementary investigations: one focused on public health and the other on agriculture.

Key findings:
➡️ Official data on pesticide su***des is lacking, due to fragmented and under-resourced surveillance systems.
➡️ Highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) remain widely used and freely accessible.
➡️ One deadly pesticide has emerged as a common cause of death, despite being ‘restricted-use’ in Indonesia.

The researchers have recommended limiting access to highly hazardous pesticides, prioritising those identified as most responsible for deaths.

This is important research that lays the foundation for further work in Indonesia. Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/4g59mbf

***deprevention UCT Division of Environmental Health

07/08/2026

A new study has found that more than two thirds of pesticide poisoning cases recorded at selected hospitals in Tanzania result from intentional poisoning.

This is important research as it provides much needed data to help us understand the problem of pesticide su***des in Tanzania.

The study, led by the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticide Authority (TPHPA), reviewed 635 cases of pesticide poisoning reported between January 2017 and November 2024 at regional referral hospitals and district hospitals located in five regions of Tanzania.

They examined whether cases were accidental or intentional, assessed case fatality rates, and identified the pesticides responsible.

Key findings:
➡️ 70% of cases were intentional
➡️ 18% of patients died
➡️ 48% of deaths were from one specific deadly pesticide

Tanzania has recently taken really important steps to limit access to highly hazardous pesticides. We would therefore expect these restrictions to have a significant impact on public health.

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/4ySIoe2
Full study ➡️ https://edin.ac/4wFhdSs

***deprevention Centre for Environmental Justice And Development - CEJAD UCT Division of Environmental Health

06/08/2026

“Something is happening in Africa.”

Read our latest blog exploring the problem of pesticide poisoning in Africa and the potential impact of recently enacted pesticide bans.

Following a wave of pesticide bans across the continent, Dr Hellen Mbaya examines what is driving these actions, whether the bans are likely to be effective, and whether more could follow.

This year alone, more than 70 pesticides have been banned across four African countries, with further bans expected. What does the research tell us about pesticide poisoning in Africa? Will these bans make a difference?

Read now ➡️ https://edin.ac/3RKUZzp

Centre for Environmental Justice And Development - CEJAD UCT Division of Environmental Health

23/07/2026

Congratulations to the East African Community (EAC), which has officially adopted a new strategy on managing highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). This is the result of years of collaboration between pesticide regulators, technical experts and partner institutions across East Africa.

The strategy is intended to guide countries in East Africa to progressively phase out HHPs. To achieve this, it sets out a series of recommended actions, including:
➡️ Identification and prioritisation of HHPs
➡️ Promoting the development and adoption of safe alternatives
➡️ Strengthening the pesticide registration system
➡️ Updating pesticide policies and legislations
➡️ Strengthening monitoring and reporting of harm caused by pesticides

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/4heVgop

10/07/2026

NEW BLOG: What is the point in research if nothing changes? Why universities need to focus on impact.

In our latest blog, CPSP Communications Officer Ellie Roger discusses the importance of research impact – where research leads to real-world change.

CPSP was recently ‘highly commended’ at the University of Edinburgh Impact Awards. Our work is built on over thirty years of research, showing that pesticide bans are the most effective way to save lives from pesticide self-poisoning. We now work closely with policymakers and our ongoing research is shaped by this policy engagement. By involving decision-makers throughout the research process, we can better identify evidence gaps, ensure our findings are relevant, and support policy change.

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/4gtQseK
*warning: article contains content about su***de*

11/06/2026

Why is effective action being taken on some drivers of su***de and not others? A newly published analysis highlights the urgent need to address inconsistencies in tackling the commercial drivers of su***de.

The article explores how some products associated with fatal self-harm are regulated to prevent deaths. However, other products such as highly hazardous pesticides remain widely available and promoted. These are often portrayed as ‘safe’, when used appropriately. Therefore, when harm occurs, the blame is shifted onto the people who use the product.

The authors argue that these different approaches are undermining effective su***de prevention globally. They call for a coherent approach.

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/4gboqnV
*Warning: contains content about methods of su***de and self-harm*

***deprevention International Association for Su***de Prevention

05/06/2026

Congratulations to Andhra Pradesh’s Natural Farming Programme on winning the 2026 Food Planet Prize, one of the world’s largest environmental awards focused on transforming food systems ➡️ https://edin.ac/4dVw7M8

To celebrate this achievement, we are delighted to share our film ‘A.T.M. – Any Time Money’, which explores how farmers in Andhra Pradesh are returning to natural farming to heal the soil and fight climate change.

Few people realise that soil store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined — around 2,500 billion tonnes. By working with nature rather than against it, these farmers are helping to regenerate ecosystems, improve biodiversity, and build resilience for future generations.

Watch the full film on our YouTube channel⬇️ https://edin.ac/4e7duFk

Written and directed by Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston
Produced by Shadow Puppet Films

A.T.M - Any Time Money - is a film about farming and the future of ...

03/06/2026

*content warning: self-harm & su***de*
A recently published study, led by colleagues and partners in Bangladesh, has revealed a significant rise in self-poisoning cases – and related deaths – from a highly toxic pesticide.

They observed a consistent increase in self-poisoning cases involving this lethal pesticide over the past decade, with more than 40% of cases resulting in death.

The study shows an urgent need to ban this harmful pesticide in Bangladesh, replacing it with safer, less toxic alternatives.

Read more ➡️ https://edin.ac/43bFt1E

***deprevention

18/05/2026

Join us in Geneva this week at the 79th World Health Assembly.

This evening and on Wednesday, we are supporting two Member State–led side events bringing together Ministers of Health from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Guyana, Kenya and Nigeria, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Environment Programme and the International Association for Su***de Prevention.

Each year, around 700,000 people die by su***de globally, with an estimated 150,000 deaths linked to pesticide poisoning. Evidence shows that regulatory action on highly hazardous pesticides can significantly reduce su***de rates and save tends of thousands of lives.

You can join the WHA79 side event in person or online:
📅 20 May | 18:00–20:00 (CEST)
The Global Problem of Pesticide Su***des: The Time to Act is Now
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
🔗 Register here: https://edin.ac/42vrbZd
🌐 Learn more: https://edin.ac/4d6S3F5

📅 18 May | 18:00–19:30 (CEST)
A Global Pursuit in Su***de Prevention: Turning Evidence into Action
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
🔴 Watch live: https://edin.ac/4d6S3F5

The 18 May event will also feature Nepal and Henry Ford Health, alongside senior experts and government representatives from South Africa and Brazil on su***de prevention and public health action.

***dePrevention