Author:
Fountoulakis Konstantinos N.,Kawohl Wolfram,Theodorakis Pavlos N.,Kerkhof Ad J. F. M.,Navickas Alvydas,Höschl Cyril,Lecic-Tosevski Dusica,Sorel Eliot,Rancans Elmars,Palova Eva,Juckel Georg,Isacsson Goran,Jagodic Helena Korosec,Botezat-Antonescu Ileana,Warnke Ingeborg,Rybakowski Janusz,Azorin Jean Michel,Cookson John,Waddington John,Pregelj Peter,Demyttenaere Koen,Hranov Luchezar G.,Stevovic Lidija Injac,Pezawas Lucas,Adida Marc,Figuera Maria Luisa,Pompili Maurizio,Jakovljević Miro,Vichi Monica,Perugi Giulio,Andreassen Ole,Vukovic Olivera,Mavrogiorgou Paraskevi,Varnik Peeter,Bech Per,Dome Peter,Winkler Petr,Salokangas Raimo K. R.,From Tiina,Danileviciute Vita,Gonda Xenia,Rihmer Zoltan,Benhalima Jonas Forsman,Grady Anne,Leadholm Anne Katrine Kloster,Soendergaard Susan,Nordt Carlos,Lopez-Ibor Juan
Abstract
BackgroundIt is unclear whether there is a direct link between economic crises and changes in suicide rates.AimsThe Lopez-Ibor Foundation launched an initiative to study the possible impact of the economic crisis on European suicide rates.MethodData was gathered and analysed from 29 European countries and included the number of deaths by suicide in men and women, the unemployment rate, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the annual economic growth rate and inflation.ResultsThere was a strong correlation between suicide rates and all economic indices except GPD per capita in men but only a correlation with unemployment in women. However, the increase in suicide rates occurred several months before the economic crisis emerged.ConclusionsOverall, this study confirms a general relationship between the economic environment and suicide rates; however, it does not support there being a clear causal relationship between the current economic crisis and an increase in the suicide rate.
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health