The number of suicides has increased significantly in recent years; they are the third most common cause of death in the 15 to 44 age group worldwide and the seventh in Poland. Approximately 5500 thousand people take their own lives in our country annually.
According to the WHO, every three seconds someone in the world attempts suicide and every 40 seconds one person dies as a result. In 2001, approximately one million people worldwide committed suicide.
Different countries have different percentages and the rate varies from 0.1 in Egypt to 40 in countries such as Russia or Lithuania. Suicidesare committed more often by men than by women. In Poland the ratio is 5:1, the age group most at risk of a successful suicide attempt is young people aged 15-25.
Reasons and motives for suicide
Among the motives and factors prompting people to commit suicide, mental illness, somatic illness, family conflicts and alcoholism predominate, and the most significant causes of suicide are:
- old age
- loneliness
- male gender
- depression
- personality disorder
- schizophrenia
- social isolation
- alcohol abuse
- chronic somatic illness
- certain professions such as doctors, psychologists, chemists, farmers
- history of self-harm
Unemployment, family history of suicide and difficult situations that are beyond a person's capabilities should also be added to the risk factors listed.
photo: pantherstock
Impact of unemployment on suicide risk
Unemployment has a direct impact on suicide risk. It is the result of a poor material situation, tensions and conflicts within the family, as well as feelings of hopelessness and uselessness. An indirect impact is the reduction of social contacts and the emergence of financial difficulties, which becomes a stressful situation and can lead to a decision to commit suicide.
Suicide and mental illness
