Albania
Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines
- Primary Crisis Hotline:
- Phone Number: Information not available.
- Hours of Operation: Information not available.
- Additional Details: Information not available.
- Emergency Line:
- Phone Number: 129
- Notes: National emergency number for police assistance in Albania.
Epidemiology of Suicide
Overall Statistics
- Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 4.3 (World Bank, 2019).
- Trend Analysis:
- Last 5 Years: Data indicates a slight decrease in suicide rates.
- Recent Changes: The suicide mortality rate decreased from 4.5 in 2018 to 4.3 in 2019 (CEIC, 2019).
Demographic-Specific Insights
- By Gender:
- Notable Trends: Recent reports highlight a concerning trend of suicides among women, often linked to domestic issues (Balkan Insight, 2024).
- By Age Groups:
- Adolescents (10-19): Studies indicate an increasing trend of suicide attempts among children and adolescents (Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 2024).
Suicide Prevention Innovations
National Strategies and Policies
- Overview: Albania lacks a comprehensive national suicide prevention framework. Efforts are primarily led by non-governmental organizations and international bodies.
Specific Initiatives and Campaigns
- Public Awareness Campaigns:
- Organizations like Save the Children work with municipal Child Protection Units to identify and support at-risk children (Youth Rights Resource Compass, 2023).
- Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
- Focused interventions are in place for children and adolescents, given the rising trend of suicide attempts in this demographic.
- Collaborative Efforts:
- Partnerships between NGOs and local authorities aim to provide support and resources for mental health and suicide prevention.
Additional Insights
- Cultural Considerations:
- Mental health issues and suicide are often stigmatized in Albanian society, which can hinder individuals from seeking help.
- Research and Data Gaps:
- There is a lack of comprehensive and up-to-date data on suicide rates and mental health in Albania, making it challenging to develop targeted interventions.
- Positive Developments:
- Increased involvement of NGOs and international organizations in mental health initiatives is a promising step toward better suicide prevention strategies.
References
- Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 2024. Trends of attempted suicide in Albanian children and adolescents. Available at: https://www.archivespp.pl/pdf-57987-2631?filename=2631.pdf
- Balkan Insight, 2024. Trend of Albanian Women Suicides Caused by Men ‘Worrying,’ Experts Say. Available at: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/02/12/trend-of-albanian-women-suicides-caused-by-men-worrying-experts-say/
- CEIC, 2019. Albania Suicide Mortality Rate: per 100,000 Population. Available at: https://www.ceicdata.com/en/albania/social-health-statistics/al-suicide-mortality-rate-per-100000-population
- World Bank, 2019. Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population) – Albania. Available at: https://tradingeconomics.com/albania/suicide-mortality-rate-per-100000-population-wb-data.html
- Youth Rights Resource Compass, 2023. Albania English Version. Available at: https://www.youthrightsresourcecompass.org/en/albania-english-version