Support groups call for more open conversation around suicide
Support organisations are campaigning for greater openness and discussion around suicide ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday.
According to the latest available figures, four people in Belgium take their own lives every day, and suicide is the leading cause of death among 15- to 45-year-olds. It is the cause of a quarter of deaths among 15- to 24-year-olds.
Statistics from public health institute Sciensano show that the number of deaths by suicide fell to 1,641 in 2021, compared with 1,736 in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. This represents more than four such deaths a day.
"Start the conversation, break the silence that suicidal people are so often trapped in"
“There is no scientific evidence to show that asking about and discussing suicidal thoughts could trigger or reinforce them,” said Gwendolyn Portzky, director of the Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention.
“Openly questioning and discussing suicidal thoughts is one of the most important pieces of advice we can give in suicide prevention. So start the conversation, break the silence that suicidal people are so often trapped in.”
The latest figures show that 1,174 men took their own lives in 2021, compared with 467 women. “However, these figures are only the tip of the iceberg,” said Thomas Thirion of suicide prevention centre Un pass dans l’impasse. “It is estimated that the number of suicide attempts is 15 to 20 times higher than the number of suicides. Two-thirds of these attempts involve women.”
Increase in calls
Wallonia has the highest suicide death rate of the three Belgian regions, at 17.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021, compared with 13.6 in Flanders and 8.6 in Brussels.
The Centre de prévention du suicide has noted a 15 per cent increase in calls from young people to its helpline since 2020.
“Young people confide in us, in particular, about the difficulty of talking about their suffering to those around them, because they are afraid it won't be taken seriously,” the centre said. “They also fear being a ‘burden’ on family and friends. Suffering that is not expressed or heard becomes more acute and makes everyday life unbearable.”
Further information is available in French at www.preventionsuicide.be. Anyone with suicidal thoughts can call 0800 32 123, which is anonymous, free and available 24 hours a day. Un pass dans l'impasse can be contacted on 081 777 150. In Flanders, help and information is available at www.suicide1813.be or by calling 1813. For support in English, contact the Community Help Service on 02 648 40 14.
A sign displays the 1813 suicide prevention helpline in Bilzen © BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS
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