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Suicide in Slovenia Between 1997 and 2010
Saška Roškar1, Maja Zorko1, Anja Podlesek2
1<location>National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia</location>
Crisis
|January 14, 2015
Summary
Slovenia
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Slovenia historically faced high suicide rates, averaging 30 per 100,000.
- A notable decline in suicide rates was observed in the decade leading up to the study.
- The rate decreased to 20.3 per 100,000 in the recent decade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze suicide rates and characteristics in Slovenia from 1997 to 2010.
- To determine the impact of suicide prevention activities on observed trends.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Mortality Database for 7,317 completed suicides (1997-2010).
- Analyzed suicide trends by gender, age, method, and region.
- Assessed suicide prevention activities through regional Public Health Institutes.
Main Results:
- Overall suicide rates decreased across genders and most age groups, with an exception in males aged 10-19.
- Hanging was the most common suicide method.
- Higher suicide rates were concentrated in eastern Slovenia; significant decreases occurred in six regions, but without a clear link to prevention efforts.
Conclusions:
- Suicide rates in Slovenia significantly declined between 1997 and 2010.
- Preventive activities did not show a discernible impact on the observed suicide rate reduction during the study period.