The deeper the economic crisis, the more suicide attempts. In Greece, suicide helplines are getting a storm of calls. In the Netherlands, an internet training course aims to curb suicidal thoughts. The training was a success and can now be applied elsewhere in the world, but with adjustments of course, because there are great cultural differences in suicide.
In times of economic crisis the number of people that want to end their lives increases, says recent international research. In Greece, the number of suicides between 2007 and 2009 increased 20 percent, according to the Ministry of Health in Athens.
Crisis chat
The Netherlands is also experiencing an increase in suicides and suicide attempts, says Ad Kerkhof, a clinical psychologist specialising in suicide prevention. “At the same time, you see a decrease in the number of suicides in China where there is strong economic growth.”
At almost the same time as the outbreak of the crisis in the Netherlands, helpline 113 Online was founded. The organisation provides professional help, therapy sessions, telephone consultations, a forum, crisis chats and online training for learning to control suicidal thoughts.
Facts & figures
Every year between 500,000 and 1.2 million people worldwide commit suicide.
Men are two to five times more likely to die from an attempted suicide than women. But, women are more likely to make multiple suicide attempts than men.
In Europe and the US, most suicide attempts are made by young women with emotional problems. Suicide occurs mainly among single, elderly men suffering from depression, alcoholism and having no job.
In Asia, Africa and Latin America, the cause is often in living conditions, such as family problems or poverty.
In Europe, women often use drugs in their suicide attempts. Men are more likely to hang themselves. Suicides using firearms are seen in the US and Finland.
In many non-Western farming societies, suicide with pesticides has been reported.
In the Netherlands more than 400,000 people think about suicide each day, according to 113 Online. Each year, 100,000 people in the Netherlands attempt suicide. In 2010, 1500 people were successful in their attempts.
Quick connection
Everything goes through the Internet or telephone - people have no face-to-face contact with helpline workers. Can you say that this is a good way to help? Often it works better, says 113 Online manager Lucy Stut. “Especially online, people are quicker to open up. In a chat session, a helpline worker cannot see the client, so it does not matter how you sit. You don’t have to explain who you are or how old you are. You don’t have to say or do anything that you don’t want to. In that way, a personal connection can be made faster.”
This view is recognised by sociologist Diane van Bergen, who for years interviewed people who had attempted suicide. “People retain their autonomy online. They do not fear they will be labelled because they admit having suicidal thoughts.”
A bad song
Anyone who contacts 113 Online can make use of their online self-help training to learn how to control suicidal thoughts. According to suicide expert Kerkhof, that is important because suicidal thoughts can continue endlessly in your head, droning on like a popular song. “But suicidal thoughts are like a very bad song that does not go away in a few hours.”
People have benefited from the self-help training, says psychologist Bregje van Spijker. According to her, the training can become an international success because, in many countries, suicidal thoughts are taboo. “Anonymous internet help can work well, that is, if there is enough privacy for someone to use a computer undisturbed.”
In that way, the self-help training should be adapted to the prevailing culture. That has already been seen in the Netherlands, where even Dutch people with non-western backgrounds do not call the 113 Online helpline. “And that has to do precisely with cultural differences.”
Uncle or aunt
"In the Netherlands, suicidal behaviour comes from depression and loneliness. For Hindus, it has to do with problems with parents, alcohol, drugs and arranged marriages. Then, you would give different advice, for example, to ask an uncle or aunt to act as mediator.”
Diana van Bergen, who has spoken extensively with Turkish, Moroccans and Surinamese Hindus about suicidal tendencies, underscores the cultural differences. “I spoke to a 15-year-old Hindu girl that was sexually abused by her father. When this came out, her mother found that the honour of the family was so violated that she advised both her daughter and her husband to commit suicide.” According to Van Bergen, suicidal thoughts “fit” in the Hindu culture.
Currently, the Free University in Amsterdam has a special website for Surinamese Hindus designed to include anonymous self-help training. Meanwhile, there is interest from Australia, Pakistan, India, China and Brazil for the Dutch internet training.
(lo/rk)
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At age 15 in the midst of major drug use and debilitating depression I attempted suicide by overdose. All I could think about was getting out of my miserable life and suicide was the only way. I'm 23 now with 1 1/2 year old twins and while I'm facing cancer and medical issues I am now glad I wasn't successful.
I can only imagine what adults are feeling right now through all the economic crises happening around the world. How would I cope with the idea of not being able to take care of my children in what could be a bleak future?
Dear editor,
You are highly mistaken in stating that the suicide thoughts "fit" the Indian culture. The reasons that you gave are not true. In India, people attempt suicide due to career or peer pressure, loneliness and depression.
the instance that you have mentioned is not a usual situation in India but depends on the education of the family.
thanks.
Dear Mayur Sarode,
Thank you very much for your interesting comment. When the researcher Diana van Bergen was interviewed for this article she was mainly speaking of the propensity to the development of suicidal thoughts in Hindustani culture outside India, for example in Suriname. Best regards, Martijn van Tol
Desperation of the "99 percenters" and the 1 percenters not giving a damn! But we shall overcome...world-wide.
Aren't you one of those "1 percenters", Vera?
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