Over 40,000 annual suicides resulting in death and more than 30 times that number of suicide attempts in the country

The deputy for social affairs at the Welfare Organization announced approximately 41,000 annual deaths due to suicide in the country. He also stated that regarding suicide attempt statistics, without citing precise figures, this number is equivalent to 30 times the number of fatal suicides.

According to Hrana news agency, citing Hamshahri newspaper, the deputy for social affairs at the Welfare Organization announced approximately 41,000 annual deaths following suicide attempts in the country.

While announcing this news, he said: “An important issue in suicide is the difference between suicide attempts and fatal suicides. Many may go to the hospital due to suicide attempts. Those who wanted to attempt suicide contacted social emergency services or, for example, those who attempted suicide go to clinics, which are not recorded at all”.

Massoudi Farid, in response to a question about whether the suicide rate has increased under pandemic conditions and economic circumstances, stated: “There is no significant increase in our statistics. Statistics should be obtained from the medical examiner, but I believe the mortality rate from suicide in our country is 41,000 people per year. The figure of 41,000 people was recorded in year 98 or 99 [of the Persian calendar]”.

He added: “Usually, if you multiply the number of fatal suicides by 30, you get the total number of suicide attempts. The point is that suicide is like a pyramid. The base of this pyramid belongs to economic problems, mental disorders, and so on. The upper tier is suicidal thoughts. The next tier is harmful behavior figures, and above that is fatal suicide. The important thing is that we must address mental health issues and economic and social problems”.

The deputy for social affairs at the Welfare Organization, noting that many provinces are reluctant to have their names mentioned in suicide statistics, continued: “Basically, the suicide rate is higher in major cities. Such as Tehran, Fars, Khorasan Razavi, and so on. These harms are more prevalent due to high population and types of cultures, but there is also a possibility of harms existing in smaller cities”.

He further emphasized: “In principle, the measures taken for suicide in a province like Ilam should be higher than in other provinces. Because the suicide statistics in this small province are high”.

Source: Hrana