Rising suicide rate worries experts

Psychologists are concerned about the rising quantity of suicides linked with major depression in the country, and are calling on the vulnerable to touch base in times of need.

Amporn Benjaponpithak, director-general of the Section of Mental Health, told a recent event marking World Committing suicide Prevention Day, which usually fell on Sept 10, that “committing suicide indicates poor mental health”.

Suicide has reached record ranges in the country. Figures in the department and National Suicide Prevention Center put the rate of suicide in 2020 at 7. thirty-five: 100, 000 population, she said. The pace increased to 7. 38: 100, 500 population last year, she said. On average, 4, 820 people commit suicide in the country per year, she noted.

“This will be the highest rate in past times 17 years, inch Dr Amporn said. Causes can be several and complex, and the effect gathers energy over time.

She said the department has set up a suicide prevention hotline and is delivering various measures, a few via the Helpers associated with Psychiatric Emergency task force, to help on social media. In the past eleven months, 1, 554 people, or 141 people a month normally, have called the hotline to speak about having their lives, she said.

Officials made follow-up calls and found that 74% transformed their minds plus wanted to live, the girl said.

Online, the KhuiKun and Sati cellular apps can provide guidance to those who may need help, she mentioned.

Doctor Nattakorn Jampathiong, director of Galya Rajanagarinda Institute, said people taking their life or threatening to do so are no longer a remote problem. Suicide can happen to anyone, he said.

“Suicide attempts do not happen instantly, ” he mentioned. “The cause is normally related to stress, brought on by mental illness, financial recession and isolation which can accumulate regarding 1–2 years. ”

Doctor Prakarn Thomyangkoon, from your Psychiatric Association associated with Thailand, said suicides are often linked to depression.

Based on its analysis, the particular suicide ratio in between men and women is three or more: 1, he mentioned.

Regarding 20% of people with untreated depression tend to commit suicide, whilst only 0. 14% of those receiving therapy do so, he mentioned.

Dr Nuttorn Pityaratstian, movie director of the Thai Society for Affective Disorders, said people ought to offer comfort to the people who are depressed.