Israel records first drop in suicide rates since 2007
Health Ministry report shows new immigrants from Ethiopia and former Soviet Union are more prone to take their own lives.
The troubling figure is the high percentage of new immigrant who committed suicide in 2011 – more than one-quarter (91 people) were from the former Soviet Union. Sixteen (4%) were immigrants from Ethiopia.
According to the report, the suicide rate among Israelis of Ethiopian descent is 3.9 times higher than among native Israelis, while the suicide rate among immigrants from former Soviet immigrants is 1.8 higher.
"In recent years the awareness to the issue has increased, and the IDF has been working to reduce the number of suicide," explains Prof. Gil Zalsman, chairman of the national suicide-prevention council and deputy director of the Geha Psychiatric Hospital. "However, immigrants are more prone to suicide around the world, as immigration is a source of tension and pressure.
"Immigrants from the former Soviet Union consume more alcohol, and that raises the risk. In addition, the therapists lack the proper training to treat immigrants from Ethiopia and don't speak their language."
Most suicides committed by men
The overwhelming majority of suicides are committed by men – 322 compared to 87 suicides committed by women. Suicide is the second most common cause of death among boys aged 15 to 24 and makes up 18% of all deaths. Among girls in this age group, suicide makes up 13% of all deaths and is the third most common cause of death.
According to the report, 9% of people who attempt suicide succeed – 16% of men and 3% of women. The lowest rate of successful suicide attempts was found among youth aged 15 to 17 (2%), while among people aged 65 and over it jumps to 22%.
In total, 2012 recorded 6,159 suicide attempts and actual suicides, 2,648 by men and 3,511 by women. While the number of actual suicides dropped, the number of attempted suicides increased, with an average of some 5,300 suicide attempts from 2004 to 2012.
Fifty-five percent of men's suicides were committed by hanging or strangulation, 13% used some kind of a weapon, 11% jumped from a high place, 2% poisoned themselves and the rest used different methods. Among women, 37% hanged themselves, 23% jumped from a high place, 9% poisoned themselves, 6% used a weapon and the rest used different methods.
EU much worse off
Despite the difficult figures, in the European Union the situation is much worse. The rate of suicide among women in Israel is 2.4 per 100,000, which is only higher than Greece (1.3) and Italy (2.2). The rate of suicide among men in Israel is 11.7 per 100,000, which is only higher than Greece (6.2), Italy (8.9), Spain (9.1) and Britain (10.1).
The country with the highest suicide rate among women is Belgium (9.2 per 100,000), and among men – Lithuania (51.4 per 100,000).
About six months ago, the Israeli government approved a national suicide prevention program, promoted by the Health Ministry and Health Minister Yael German. As part of the program, access to weapons, dangerous places and medications will be reduced, professional consultants will be trained and additional activities will be launched in a bid to prevent the number of suicides in the country.
"The Health Ministry's data on the number of suicides in Israel prove that this is a troubling phenomena," says Dr. Avshalom Aderet, chairman of the Path to Life association. "According to estimates, there are many suicide cases and attempted suicides which are not even reported. Unfortunately, each of us knows or has heard about someone who took his or her own life.
"With the proper conduct and by offering attention, concern, sensitivity and providing legitimacy to talk about hardships, we can reduce the suicide rate in Israel," he added. "We congratulate Health Minister Yael German for taking responsibility and deciding to actively work to significantly reduce the suicide phenomenon in Israel."
