Back

Suriname

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: 123 (Stichting 113 Suicide Prevention Suriname)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Free and confidential crisis support, suicide prevention counseling, and mental health assistance.
  2. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: +597 426 726 (Bureau voor de Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg (BGGZ) – National Mental Health Center Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Provides psychological counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to mental health professionals.
  3. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 115 (General Emergency)
    • Notes: National emergency number for police, fire, and medical assistance.
  4. Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Support:
    • Phone Number: +597 433 434 (Stichting Stop Geweld Tegen Vrouwen – GBV Support Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides legal aid, crisis intervention, and shelter services for survivors of domestic violence.
  5. Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +597 421 143 (Child and Youth Help Desk – Kindertelefoon Suriname)
    • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Offers psychological support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services for young people.
Suicide Prevention in Suriname

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 25.0 (2019 data). (World Bank)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suriname has one of the highest suicide rates in the Americas, particularly affecting rural communities and indigenous populations.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Significantly higher than female suicide rates, often linked to economic distress, substance abuse, and mental health stigma.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but suicide attempts among women are more frequent and often related to domestic violence and family pressures.
  2. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Rising rates of suicide attempts linked to academic pressure, family issues, and lack of mental health awareness.
    • Elderly (60+): Increased risk due to loneliness, declining health, and economic insecurity.
  3. Urban vs. Rural:
    • Suicide rates are significantly higher in rural and indigenous communities, often due to lack of mental health services and high pesticide-related suicides.
  4. Special Groups:
    • Indigenous and Maroon Communities: Elevated suicide rates due to cultural and economic challenges, including alcohol abuse and lack of access to care.
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Experience mental health challenges due to discrimination and social exclusion.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Suriname has developed a National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2020–2025), focusing on early intervention, public awareness, and crisis response.
  • Key Elements:
    • Community-based suicide prevention initiatives.
    • Increased mental health education and training programs for professionals.
    • Regulation of pesticide access to prevent agricultural-related suicides.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Praat Erover” (Talk About It) – A campaign aimed at reducing mental health stigma and encouraging help-seeking behavior.
  2. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Rural Suicide Prevention Programs: Focused on indigenous and farming communities, including restrictions on toxic pesticides.
    • Youth Mental Health Awareness Programs: School-based initiatives that promote mental resilience and coping strategies.
  3. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Suriname collaborates with WHO, PAHO, and regional mental health organizations to enhance suicide prevention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Mobile mental health applications providing counseling services.
    • AI-powered chatbots offering real-time crisis intervention and self-help resources.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Training religious leaders and community health workers in suicide prevention.
    • Support networks for families affected by suicide, offering bereavement counseling.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains highly stigmatized, particularly in rural and indigenous communities.
    • Traditional healing practices and religious beliefs influence attitudes toward mental health.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national statistics on suicide attempts and self-harm incidents.
    • Underreporting due to social stigma and lack of centralized mental health data collection.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Growing investment in mental health infrastructure and training.
    • Expansion of suicide prevention efforts targeting at-risk populations.

References

  1. Suriname Ministry of Health. (n.d.). National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2020–2025). Retrieved from https://www.gov.sr/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Suriname – 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 Suriname. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Bureau voor de Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg (BGGZ). (n.d.). Crisis Helpline and Suicide Prevention Services in Suriname. Retrieved from https://www.bggz.sr/
  5. Stichting Stop Geweld Tegen Vrouwen. (n.d.). Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health Support in Suriname. Retrieved from https://www.stopgeweld.sr/
  6. PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). (n.d.). Mental Health Policies and Suicide Prevention in South America. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/
  7. UNICEF Suriname. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Suriname. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/suriname/