Finland’s suicide stats continue to fall
Although Finland still has an above-average suicide rate for a European country, the number of suicides has decreased by more than half since 1990.
The number of suicides committed in Finland continued its downward trend in 2015 according to Eurostat. The year-on-year decrease was most notable among men aged 34-44.
Last year 731 Finnish people committed suicide, which is some 60 less than a year previously. Comparatively the most suicides are reported among 45-54-year-olds and men aged over 75.
Finland’s suicide figures have continued to fall since 1990, when more than 1,500 people killed themselves.
Despite the trend, more suicides are committed in Finland than in other western countries. Eurostat shows that in 2013 Finns committed about 1.5 times more suicides than in the EU on average.
Help aavailable
People who struggle with self-destructive thoughts do have places to turn to in Finland – even in English. The Finnish Association for Mental Health maintains a national crisis hotline for non-Finnish-speakers from 9 am – 12 am and 1 pm – 3 pm (Mon-Thu) and 9 am – 12 am (Fri) at (09) 4135 0501.
The Finnish-language hotline can be reached from 9 am – 7 am (Mon-Fri) and 3 pm – 7 am (weekends and holidays) at 010 195 202.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Nunavut declares suicide crisis in territory, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: OECD ‘concerned’ over high suicide rates in Finland, YLE News
Russia: Why high suicide rates in Arctic Russia?, Blog by Deutsche Welle’s Iceblogger
Sweden: Gender stereotypes behind high suicide rate, Radio Sweden
United States: Confronting suicide in Alaska, Alaska Dispatch News
