Suicidality is a psychiatric condition that leads to about 500 deaths per year in Greece, according to recorded incidents, and it is believed that the number of people who commit suicide is much higher. Since the beginning of the year to date, 738,753 suicides have been recorded worldwide, according to Worldmeter- real time world statistics (where suicides are recorded live), and the number is increasing daily.

The above points out the family psychotherapist – psycho-educator, scientific collaborator of the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Emilia Axiotidou, speaking to AP-MPA on the occasion of September 10, which has been designated as the World Day for Suicide Prevention.

“According to the statistics of the Day Center for Suicide Prevention, the line – 1018/Suicide Intervention Line, which operates on a 24-hour basis, received more than 20,750 calls in 2023. At least 1500 people have committed suicide since 2022 to date, according to Suicide Watch data. In the same period, 57 suicides took place on public transport and 163 suicides took place in places known as hotspots,” she said.

At the same time, she says that the number of suicide attempts that can be carried out, which lead to death, is 20 times more than the number of recorded suicides. “Because 95% of the incidents could have been predicted, there is a need for a meaningful record of the problem and understanding of it in order to provide effective ways of prevention that are personalised and aided by modern developments in epigenetics and neuroscience. Predicting risk is particularly difficult as once a person is determined to end their life they are very likely to do so. Of course, people who have suicidal tentencies and are highly predisposed to carry it out are the lowest percentage. More are ambivalent about suicide and about making a suicide attempt,” she says.

How can we understand the signs and help someone?

In response to the question, Ms. Axiotidou says:

“We can recognize some signs if:

* The person talks to us and expresses their thoughts or takes notes, where they mention death and suicide.

* They are often angry, desperate, despairing and have an attitude of intense vindictiveness.

* Feels trapped in dead-end situations.

* Has impulsive, reckless behaviors that he or she was not previously used to.

* Has appetite and sleep disturbances.

* Abuses alcohol and drugs.

* Has alcohol and substance abuse.

* Makes negative comments about himself and has strong feelings of guilt.

* Has uncontrollable anxiety or a sudden change in mood from intense sadness and stress to joy and relief.

* Threatens to harm himself or herself.

* Has no goals and motivation and no dreams for the future.

Of course, all of the above can occur when someone feels psychological or physical fatigue and even if they feel intense anxiety they have not considered ending their life.

It should therefore not escape our attention if someone tries to communicate their intention to commit suicide as half of those who commit the attempt have already talked about it to someone close to them.”