More people have died from suicide than in traffic accidents

Last year in Estonia, 186 people died by suicide, a higher number than those killed in traffic accidents, which totaled 55. According to data from peaasi.ee, clinical psychologist Anna-Kaisa Oidermaa, the number of suicides has remained consistent around 200 over the past decade, with a notable increase in suicides among people aged 20-30. Estonia also leads the Baltic region in suicide rates among minors.

Oidermaa emphasized that most suicides are preventable and often indicate a lack of timely intervention. She highlighted the need for immediate and concrete steps to improve access to mental health care, prevention, and early intervention programs. Approximately 200,000 Estonians experience mental health problems annually without receiving necessary care.

Resources for mental health support include contacting a family doctor, utilizing the national free doctor advice line 1220, accessing online counseling through peaasi.ee or solution.net, and contacting specialized support lines: 116111 (children’s aid – 24 hours), 116 006 (emergency aid – 24 hours), 116 123 (mental health counseling – 24 hours), 6558 088 (Estonian emergency line – daily 19:00-7:00) and 655 5688 (Russian emergency line – daily 19:00-7:00), as well as the emergency room at Ristiku 1, phone 516 0379 (24 hours) and the Pärnu Ristiku 1 psychiatric ward, phone 516 0379 (24 hours).

Topics: #people #suicide #traffic