A recent study conducted by Canada’s National Institute for Public Health of Quebec reported that internationally the province ranked third in the suicide rate of men and sixth in the case of women. The study showed that the male suicide rate of 14.8 for every thousand in 1976 in the region rose to 19.1 in 2001.
In an international seminar on intervention against suicide held in the Montreal, Danielle St. Laurent of Canada said that out of 1,334 suicide cases reported in the region in 1991 most of the victims were between the ages of 15 and 19.
The researcher was baffled as she could not find a logical explanation for the high death rates reported from some countries, such as Ireland, Canada and New Zealand, and comparatively lower rates reported from several other countries, such as Britain, the Untied States and Scandinavian region, where the population enjoyed almost the same level of social progress and economic prosperity.
Another finding pointed out by the researcher was that the suicide rate among the ethnic groups, including those of Arab and Muslim origins, settled in the region was negligible. She attributed the very low rates among these ethnic groups to such facts as their members being supported by stable family systems that defended their members in critical situations and the influence of comparatively deeper religious, moral and social values that dissuaded them from the suicide option at times of mental crisis.
In a paper read at the conference, Diego De Leo, director of the Australian Institute of Research and Intervention Against Suicide, observed that the countries where the rates of suicide are very high, such as Australia, Finland and Switzerland, had adopted several measures to discourage youth from resorting to suicide, though the efforts did not yield any noteworthy effect in preventing youth suicides. The rate of suicide in these countries remained above 20 per 1,000 in 2003. The failure of the steps taken in these countries demands an immediate review of the complex situation and adoption of a new strategy to save the younger generation from this dangerous trend, Diego Leo said.
Terrified by the failure of the psychological treatments offered in several countries to contain the behavior, the director of the Australian institute said it was easy to treat frustration theoretically while the increasing reports of suicide prove that we have failed to contain the situation. He added that it was hardly possible to root out motivations, such as emotional problems, unemployment, academic failure, drugs, gambling and other factors. He also noted with dismay that almost 80 percent of those who attempt to commit suicide succeed in their attempts.
On the other hand, researcher Brian Misra, another conference participant, claimed that programs for intervention against suicide at specialized clinics still play an important role in saving countless young and adolescent lives. He also warned against social workers and authorities being pessimistic and discouraged because of their failures in the struggle against suicide. He urged them that they should continue their search for other effective methods with optimism.