Suicides from 2016 to 2020 in Finland and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative mental health outcomes in populations, but the suicide numbers in Finland have remained unchanged compared with expected levels based on the pre-pandemic period. We included all deaths from suicide verified by the official cause-of-death investigations, including forensic autopsy with analysis of forensic toxicology samples, between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020 in Finland. There was a decline in suicide incidence from 2016 to 2020 in men, and a declining tendency in suicide rates for every consecutive month during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The COVID-19 governmental policy responses do not seem to have led to an increase in suicide numbers.

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Prevalence of suicidal behaviour and violence among young people

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.750 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Jakubauskiene ◽

J Lindert

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Young People ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Suicidal Behaviour ◽

Physical Violence ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Psychological Violence ◽

Suicide Rates

Abstract Background Violence and suicidal behaviour among young people is an enormous public mental health issue in Europe and worldwide leading to poor mental health outcomes, increased use of healthcare services and loss of life. Specifically, vulnerable are young people especially in societies were prevalence of violence and suicide rates are considerably high. Public mental health of young people in Lithuania is of a great concern due high prevalence of various determinants resulting in poor public mental health outcomes and high suicide rates. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of violence and suicidal behaviour as well as use of health care services among 15-29 years of age young population in Lithuania. Methods A cross sectional survey involving 1007 respondents aged 15-29 years in Lithuania was conducted in 2016. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied. Results 39.7% (95% CI: 34.3-45.2) of young people in Lithuania referred to have suicidal behaviour during the last 12 months, 39.5% (95% CI: 34.1-44.9) of respondents had suicidal ideations, 13.4% (95% CI: 9.7-17.1) - made plans for suicide and 2.1% (95% CI: 0.6-3.7) attempted to commit suicide during the last 12 months. Prevalence of suicide risk was very similar in both gender groups. 27.5% of young people reported experience of psychological violence, 7.26% - physical violence and 4.3% - sexual harassment within the last year. Experienced violence increases risk of suicidal behaviour from 1.85 times in case of psychological violence to 3.79 time in case of physical violence. Young adults who had suicidal behaviour and experienced violence tend to call emergency medical services and were hospitalized more often. Conclusions Experienced physical, psychological and sexual violence is related to higher risk of suicidal behaviour. Suicide prevention strategies should consider violence prevention and vigilance of health care system to address suicidal behaviour.

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Mental Health Among Adolescents from Returned Portuguese Immigrant Families

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185/a000015 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 131-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Félix Neto

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Immigrant Families ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Control Group ◽

Older Adolescents ◽

The Mean ◽

Portuguese Adolescents

This study investigated mental health problems and their predictors among adolescents from returned immigrant families. The sample consisted of 360 returned adolescents (mean age = 16.8 years; SD = 1.9). The mean duration of a sojourn in Portugal for the sample was 8.2 years (SD = 4.5). A control group of 217 Portuguese youths were also included in the study. Adolescents from immigrant families reported mental health levels similar to those of Portuguese adolescents who have never migrated. Girls showed more mental health problems than boys. Younger adolescents showed fewer mental health problems than older adolescents. Adaptation variables contributed to mental health outcomes even after acculturation variables were accounted for. Implications of the study for counselors are discussed.

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