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Senegal

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: +221 33 889 38 00 (Centre de Guidance Infantile et Familiale – National Mental Health Support Line)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides free and confidential mental health support, including crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
  1. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: +221 33 825 50 22 (Mental Health Unit – Fann Hospital, Dakar)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Provides psychological counseling, mental health screenings, and suicide prevention resources. (hopitalfann.com)
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 17 (Police) / 15 (Medical Emergency)
    • Notes: National emergency numbers for urgent medical and psychiatric assistance.
  1. Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Support:
    • Phone Number: 116 (Association des Juristes Sénégalaises – GBV and Trauma Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides legal, psychological, and shelter support for survivors of gender-based violence and domestic abuse. (ajs.sn)
  1. Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +221 33 869 93 93 (SOS Children’s Villages Senegal – Youth Mental Health Support Line)
    • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Provides emotional support and counseling services for young people at risk of mental health struggles. (sos-senegal.org)
Suicide Prevention in Senegal

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 5.7 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Senegal remain moderate, but concerns are rising over mental health access, particularly in rural areas.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than female suicide rates, often linked to financial stress and unemployment.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but suicide attempts among women are frequently linked to domestic violence and social pressures.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Rising rates due to academic pressure, cyberbullying, and lack of access to mental health services.
    • Elderly (60+): Limited data, but suicide risk is linked to social isolation and economic hardships.
  1. Urban vs. Rural:
    • Suicide rates are reportedly higher in rural areas due to stigma, economic instability, and lack of mental health services.
  1. Special Groups:
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: High levels of discrimination contribute to mental health struggles, though official data is limited.
    • Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Increased risk of suicide due to trauma and lack of adequate support services.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Senegal integrates suicide prevention into its National Mental Health Action Plan, which focuses on increasing accessibility and awareness.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expanding mental health services in regional hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
    • Public education campaigns targeting suicide prevention and mental health stigma.
    • Strengthening training programs for healthcare providers in suicide risk assessment and crisis management.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Ne Sois Pas Seul” (Don’t Be Alone) – A campaign encouraging mental health conversations and reducing stigma surrounding suicide.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Mental Health Outreach for Youth: School-based mental health initiatives providing peer support and psychological education.
    • Community-Based Counseling Programs: Expanding services to remote areas to address limited access to psychiatric care.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Senegal partners with WHO, PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), and regional mental health networks to enhance suicide prevention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Introduction of telepsychiatry services to increase access to mental health professionals.
    • Social media campaigns raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Suicide prevention training for community leaders, teachers, and healthcare professionals.
    • Peer-support networks providing emotional and psychological assistance to at-risk individuals.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains a taboo topic in Senegalese culture, making it difficult for individuals to openly seek mental health support.
    • Religious and family networks play a critical role in informal mental health care.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national data on suicide among LGBTQIA+ individuals and other marginalized populations.
    • Underreporting of suicide attempts due to social stigma and lack of centralized data collection systems.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Expansion of telehealth services and mental health outreach programs.
    • Increasing recognition of mental health as a priority within Senegal’s public health strategy.

References

  1. Senegal Ministry of Health. (n.d.). National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.sante.gouv.sn/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Senegal – 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 Senegal. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Fann Hospital Dakar. (n.d.). Crisis Helpline and Mental Health Support in Senegal. Retrieved from https://www.hopitalfann.com/
  5. SOS Children’s Villages Senegal. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Support in Senegal. Retrieved from https://www.sos-senegal.org/
  6. Association des Juristes Sénégalaises (AJS). (n.d.). Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health Support in Senegal. Retrieved from https://www.ajs.sn/
  7. UNICEF Senegal. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Senegal. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/senegal/