Chad

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

• Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 8.9 (2019 data). (tradingeconomics.com)
• Trend Analysis:

• • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Chad have remained relatively stable but are likely underreported due to stigma and inadequate data collection systems.

Demographic-Specific Insights

1. By Gender:

1. • Male Suicide Rate: Higher compared to females, consistent with global trends.
   • Female Suicide Rate: Lower but notable, often linked to domestic violence, economic pressures, and social challenges.

2. By Age Groups:

1. • Adolescents (15–24): Suicide is a growing concern among adolescents, often linked to poverty, unemployment, and limited access to mental health care.
   • Elderly (60+): Suicide rates among the elderly are less documented but may be associated with isolation and health issues.

3. Rural vs. Urban:

1. • Higher suicide rates in rural areas due to limited access to healthcare, poverty, and greater social isolation.

4. Special Groups:

1. • Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are at higher risk due to conflict, trauma, and lack of mental health resources.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

• Overview: Chad does not have a formal national suicide prevention strategy. Mental health services are integrated into the broader healthcare system, with significant support from NGOs and international organizations.
• Key Elements:

• • Training healthcare workers to address mental health challenges and suicide risks.
  • Community outreach programs to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

1. Public Awareness Campaigns:

1. • Limited national campaigns; most awareness efforts are conducted by NGOs and international organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

2. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:

1. • Trauma-focused mental health programs for refugees and IDPs, often implemented by organizations like MSF and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

3. Collaborative Efforts:

1. • Partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to enhance mental health infrastructure and provide psychosocial support.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

• Community-Based Interventions:

• • Training community leaders and volunteers to identify and support individuals at risk of suicide.

• Mobile Clinics:

• • Use of mobile health clinics to provide mental health services in remote and underserved areas.

Additional Insights

• Cultural Considerations:

• • Traditional beliefs and stigma surrounding mental health and suicide remain significant barriers to seeking help in Chad.
  • Traditional healers are often consulted first, highlighting the need for integration of traditional practices with modern mental health care.

• Research and Data Gaps:

• • Comprehensive data on suicide and mental health challenges, particularly among displaced populations and rural communities, is lacking.

• Positive Developments:

• • Ongoing collaborations with international organizations to address mental health and trauma among conflict-affected populations highlight progress in Chad’s mental health care landscape.

References

1. Trading Economics. (2019). Chad – Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population). Retrieved from https://tradingeconomics.com/chad/suicide-mortality-rate-per-100000-population-wb-data.html
2. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health Services in Chad. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
3. Médecins Sans Frontières. (n.d.). Mental Health Programs in Chad. Retrieved from https://www.msf.org/
4. International Rescue Committee. (n.d.). Support for Refugees and IDPs in Chad. Retrieved from https://www.rescue.org/
5. UNICEF Chad. (n.d.). Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/chad/