Bahrain
Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines
- Emergency Call Centre:
- Phone Number: 999
- Hours of Operation: 24/7
- Additional Details: Covers all emergency services, including fire, police, and ambulance.
- Police Hotline:
- Phone Number: 80008008
- Hours of Operation: 24/7
- Additional Details: Dedicated line for police assistance.
- Aisha Yateem Family Counseling Center:
- Phone Number: 80001488
- Hours of Operation: 24/7
- Additional Details: Provides immediate counseling to individuals experiencing domestic and sexual violence.
- Child Helpline:
- Phone Number: 998
- Hours of Operation: 24/7
- Additional Details: Receives calls to report violence or abuse against children, offering counseling and active listening services.
- Shamsaha MENA:
- Phone Numbers: 38447588, 66710901
- Hours of Operation: 24/7
- Additional Details: Provides telephone and in-person support for victims of domestic and sexual violence, offering medium and long-term casework care.
Epidemiology of Suicide
Overall Statistics
- Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 8.9 (2019 data).
- Trend Analysis:
- Last 5 Years: The suicide rate has shown slight fluctuations, with a general increase from 8.6 in 2018 to 8.9 in 2019.
Demographic-Specific Insights
- By Gender:
- Male Suicide Rate: 15.9 per 100,000 males.
- Female Suicide Rate: 4.0 per 100,000 females.
- Notable Trends: Males have a significantly higher suicide rate compared to females in Bahrain.
- By Nationality:
- Bahraini Nationals: Mean suicide rate of 0.6 per 100,000.
- Non-Bahrainis: Mean suicide rate of 12.6 per 100,000, with Indian migrants exhibiting a rate of 17.7 per 100,000.
Suicide Prevention Innovations
National Strategies and Policies
- Overview: Bahrain has implemented various crisis intervention services to address mental health and suicide prevention.
- Key Elements:
- Community-Based Programs: Emphasis on providing support for individuals facing domestic violence, abuse, or crisis situations.
- Government Policies: Establishment of 24/7 crisis hotlines to offer immediate assistance to those in need.
Specific Initiatives and Campaigns
- Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
- Description: Organizations like Shamsaha MENA provide specialized support for victims of domestic and sexual violence, groups identified as being at higher risk for suicide.
- Collaborative Efforts:
- Example: Partnerships between government agencies and non-governmental organizations to enhance mental health support services.
Additional Insights
- Cultural Considerations:
- Stigma surrounding mental health issues may hinder individuals from seeking help, highlighting the need for continued public education and destigmatization efforts.
- Research and Data Gaps:
- Limited recent data on suicide rates and demographic-specific information suggests a need for comprehensive research to inform targeted interventions.
- Positive Developments:
- The establishment of 24/7 crisis hotlines and the active participation of organizations like Shamsaha MENA indicate a growing commitment to addressing mental health challenges in Bahrain.
References
- Ministry of Interior, Bahrain. (n.d.). Emergency Call Centre. Retrieved from https://groups.oist.jp/system/files/Bahrain.pdf
- World Bank. (2019). Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 population) – Bahrain. Retrieved from https://tradingeconomics.com/bahrain/suicide-mortality-rate-per-100000-population-wb-data.html
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Suicide rate estimates, crude, 15-29 and 30-49 years. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main-emro.MHSUICIDEAGEGROUPS15293049?lang=en
- Hamadeh, R. R., & Ali, M. K. (2007). Suicide in Bahrain in the last decade. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 13(4), 848-855. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17555028/
- Shamsaha MENA. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://groups.oist.jp/system/files/Bahrain.pdf