In recent years, suicide has become a pressing public health problem in Spain and the rest of the world. The data are alarming and require priority attention from all sectors involved. In our country, up to 100,000 people are suicides. 9 people a day take their own lives, which is equivalent to more than 4.000 deaths per year according to data provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). This topic deserves a deep reflection on the causes, consequences and strategies to prevent it.
The impact of suicide in Spain
Suicide now exceeds the number of deaths from traffic accidents, a trend that has been consolidating since 2008. In that year, the number of suicides, which amounted to 3.421 people, exceeded for the first time the 3.021 deaths recorded in traffic accidents. This phenomenon highlights the need to implement effective prevention strategies.
The figures are especially stark in the case of men, who commit suicide. three times more than women, representing 78,31% of cases. According to the INE, the male suicide rate is 13,34 per 100.000 inhabitants, while the female rate is 4,5. This imbalance reveals social and cultural factors which need to be thoroughly analyzed.
A global pandemic
Worldwide, a person commits suicide every 40 seconds, accumulating one million deaths per year. This number exceeds the number of deaths from homicides and wars combined. In addition, suicide attempts are also alarming, exceeding 20 million cases per yearThis problem disproportionately affects those under 25, with a quarter of all suicide deaths occurring in this age group.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, if immediate action is not taken, the number of suicides could reach 1,5 million annually by 2030. These projections underline the importance of coordinated global strategies to mitigate this tragic phenomenon.
Factors that aggravate the problem in Spain
In Spain, the lack of a National Suicide Prevention Plan This specific problem has been one of the reasons most pointed out by experts and associations such as the Spanish Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide. Although there are strategies in the field of mental health, these are insufficient to address a problem as complex and multi-causal as suicide.
- Social factors: Loneliness, unemployment and economic problems are significant risk factors.
- Psychological factors: Up to 90% of people who commit suicide have a previous psychiatric diagnosis.
- Generational factors: The incidence of suicides among young people and adolescents has increased significantly, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suicide is also a gender issue, with men accounting for the majority of fatal cases, while women often lead the statistics for failed attempts.
The institutional and community response
In an attempt to address this crisis, the Ministry of Health launched the suicide hotline in 2022 024, under the motto "Call for life." This service has received more than 306.000 calls, offering immediate support to both people in crisis and their families. However, the need for resources remains enormous.
In addition, the autonomous communities have begun to implement local prevention plans. However, these fragmented efforts fail to make up for the lack of a state framework that unifies actions and guarantees their effectiveness.
What can we do as a society?
Suicide prevention begins with awarenessTalking about the topic helps break the stigma that surrounds him and allows people to seek help without feelings of shame or guilt.
- Education: It is essential to teach how to identify warning signs in the family, educational and work environment.
- Emotional Support: Regular contacts and a strong support network can make a difference in times of vulnerability.
- Access to services: Increase mental health resources, including psychologists in primary care.
As a society, we have a duty to ensure that everyone, regardless of their situation, can access an effective support system. Suicide affects not only the person who commits it; it leaves a profound impact on families, friends and entire communities.
These figures demonstrate the magnitude of a problem that, although silent, continues to claim thousands of lives every year. Only through coordinated action, awareness and solid policies can we move towards a society that truly cares for those who need it most.