Back

Mali

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: No dedicated national suicide prevention hotline currently exists in Mali.
    • Alternative Support: Malian Red Cross (Croix-Rouge Malienne) provides limited psychological support.
    • Contact: +223 20 22 47 90 (croixrouge-mali.org)
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 17 (Police), 18 (Fire & Medical Emergencies)
    • Notes: National emergency services, but mental health emergencies are not widely covered.
  1. NGO Support Services:
    • Phone Number: +223 20 22 22 02 (Association Malienne pour la Santé Mentale – AMSM)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Provides limited mental health services, including counseling for individuals in distress.
Suicide Prevention in Mali

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 4.2 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Mali have remained relatively low, but there is increasing concern over rising mental health challenges, particularly among youth and conflict-affected populations.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than females, consistent with global trends.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower overall, but suicide attempts are more frequent among women due to domestic violence and economic hardship.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Increasing suicide risk due to unemployment, forced marriages, and exposure to violence.
    • Elderly (60+): Limited data, though social isolation and chronic illnesses are known contributing factors.
  1. Rural vs. Urban:
    • Suicide rates are higher in rural areas due to poverty, lack of mental health services, and cultural stigma.
  1. Special Groups:
    • Conflict-Affected Populations: Mental health issues among displaced individuals and those affected by armed conflicts.
    • Women Facing Gender-Based Violence: Higher risk of suicide attempts due to social and legal barriers preventing access to support.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Mali does not have a dedicated national suicide prevention strategy, but mental health services are part of the National Health Policy.
  • Key Elements:
    • Training community health workers in basic mental health support.
    • Expanding psychological services in major hospitals.
    • Awareness campaigns to reduce mental health stigma.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Bien-être pour Tous” (“Well-being for All”) campaign raises mental health awareness.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Youth Mental Health Support: Programs addressing stress and trauma in conflict-affected regions.
    • Psychosocial Support for Displaced Persons: NGOs provide trauma counseling for refugees and internally displaced persons.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Partnerships with WHO, UNHCR, and humanitarian organizations to improve mental health services.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Mobile health (mHealth) initiatives provide SMS-based mental health support.
    • Social media campaigns help destigmatize mental health issues.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Training religious leaders and traditional healers to recognize and respond to suicide risk.
    • Peer-support programs in local communities provide emotional and psychological assistance.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide is a highly stigmatized topic in Mali, often attributed to spiritual beliefs or social dishonor.
    • Traditional healing practices and religious institutions play a major role in mental health care.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national data on suicide trends, particularly among marginalized groups.
    • Suicide rates may be underreported due to stigma and lack of public awareness.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Increasing efforts to integrate mental health services into community healthcare programs.
    • Expansion of psychological support services for conflict-affected individuals.

References

  1. Mali Ministry of Health. (n.d.). National Health Policy and Mental Health Initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.sante.gov.ml/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Mali – Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population). Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/
  3. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Mali. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Croix-Rouge Malienne. (n.d.). Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Services in Mali. Retrieved from https://www.croixrouge-mali.org/
  5. UNICEF Mali. (n.d.). Child and Adolescent Mental Health Support Programs in Mali. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/mali/