Man reaching for a bottle from shelves of pesticide bottles Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention Upturned bottles in soil one showing label with 'Poison' Ban toxic
pesticides
Corridor in a Bangladesh hospital. Credit: Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston Save lives
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Pesticide poisoning is one of the most common methods of global suicide

The problem

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Banning highly hazardous pesticides saves lives

The solution

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We are the only global initiative dedicated to preventing pesticide suicide

What we do

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Who we are

The Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) works to reduce the number of pesticide suicides worldwide. We are a philanthropically funded research and policy initiative within the University of Edinburgh. 

An estimated 14 million people have died from pesticide self-poisoning since the Green Revolution, making it one of the most common methods of global suicide. We work in low and middle-income countries, where pesticide self-poisoning is a recognised and significant health problem, in collaboration with national policy-makers. Our work aims to identify lethal pesticides responsible for deaths and end their use through regulatory action. 

Infographic summarising Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention work

*Content warning: videos contain content about suicide and suicidal feelings*

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Introduction to CPSP

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Nepal Case Study

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Vendor 'Gatekeeper' Training

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Udeni: A Survivor's Story

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The Rights of the Child

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Opinion and analysis

Comment and views on issues related to pesticide self-poisoning from the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention team.

Pesticide Suicides Myth vs Fact

Myth-busting pesticide suicide

We explore some of the myths surrounding pesticide suicide.

How promised action on highly hazardous pesticides can prevent suicides

Professor Michael Eddleston reflects on steps taken in 2023 to reduce international use of highly hazardous pesticides and the impact this could have on suicide rates.

Can we really blame farmers for pesticide ‘misuse’?

Dr Leah Utyasheva takes a closer look at the concept of pesticide ‘misuse’ through a human rights perspective.

Sri Lankan farmer harvesting potatoes

Why Sri Lanka’s current crisis shouldn’t overshadow its success in suicide prevention

Mark Davis explains why Sri Lanka’s pesticide suicide prevention policies remain a story of success and shouldn’t be confused with their poorly executed move to organic agriculture in 2021.