Worldwide, close to 800 000 people die as a result of suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. According to the statistics of the National Health Information Center, the number of suicides in Slovakia is increasing. Last year, 533 people ended their lives, 27 more than the year before. Most affected with suicidal thoughts is the age group of 50-59. However, many suicides could be avoided if people with mental issues sought help. Preventing suicides is also the main theme of this year's World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10.
Suicide is a global phenomenon and occurs throughout people's lifespan. According to the World Health Organisation, effective and evidence-based interventions can be implemented at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. There are indications that for each adult who has died by suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. Family problems dominate suicide attempts in Slovakia, but personal conflicts, existential problems or problems in school in the case of children were also significant.
"Suicide prevention is not easy, but it can be done. It should therefore be a high priority for political or government programs. Many people whose psychological condition requires professional help do not ask for it, because they fear the stigma and prejudice of society," said Ľubomíra Izáková, President of the Slovak Psychiatric Society. This year's World Mental Health Day campaign is also linked to the renewed non-stop Advisory service Nezábudka hotline (0800 800 566), where professionals offer information and consultation to those who are too shy to go to see their local psychiatrist or psychologist.
Advisory service Nezábudka: 0800 800 566
