Equatorial Guinea

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

• Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 6.8 (2019 data). (org)
• Trend Analysis:

• • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Equatorial Guinea have remained relatively stable, though underreporting is common due to stigma and limited mental health resources.

Demographic-Specific Insights

1. By Gender:

1. • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than females, consistent with global trends.
   • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but women face significant mental health challenges due to domestic violence and socio-economic pressures.

2. By Age Groups:

1. • Adolescents (15–24): Suicide is a growing concern among youth, often linked to unemployment, family conflict, and lack of access to mental health resources.
   • Elderly (60+): Data is limited, but social isolation and health-related challenges may contribute to suicide risks.

3. Rural vs. Urban:

1. • Suicide rates are higher in rural areas due to isolation, limited healthcare access, and cultural stigma around mental health issues.

4. Special Groups:

1. • Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are at elevated risk due to conflict, trauma, and lack of psychosocial support.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

• Overview: Equatorial Guinea does not currently have a formalized national suicide prevention strategy. Mental health care is integrated into public health services and supported by international organizations.
• Key Elements:

• • Training healthcare providers to identify and manage suicide risks.
  • Community outreach programs to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

1. Public Awareness Campaigns:

1. • Limited national campaigns exist. Efforts are primarily led by NGOs and international organizations like WHO and UNICEF.

2. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:

1. • Community-based initiatives focus on addressing trauma among displaced populations and rural communities.
   • Limited mental health programs specifically targeting adolescents or women.

3. Collaborative Efforts:

1. • Partnerships with WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières, and other international NGOs to provide training for healthcare workers and expand mental health services.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

• Community-Based Interventions:

• • Training community leaders and health workers to recognize and respond to signs of mental health distress.
  • Mobile health clinics aim to deliver mental health services to remote and underserved areas.

• Digital Tools:

• • Digital mental health services are minimal, though efforts are being made to introduce telehealth platforms.

Additional Insights

• Cultural Considerations:

• • Mental health stigma remains a significant barrier in Equatorial Guinea, where traditional beliefs often attribute mental health issues to spiritual or supernatural causes.
  • Family and community networks play a central role in providing support, highlighting the need to involve them in mental health interventions.

• Research and Data Gaps:

• • Comprehensive data on suicide rates, particularly among marginalized groups such as LGBTQIA+ individuals and refugees, is lacking.

• Positive Developments:

• • Increased collaboration with international organizations to address mental health challenges and trauma in vulnerable populations marks a positive step forward.

References

1. World Bank. (2019). Equatorial Guinea – Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population). Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/
2. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Equatorial Guinea. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
3. Médecins Sans Frontières. (n.d.). Mental Health Support in Vulnerable Populations in Equatorial Guinea. Retrieved from https://www.msf.org/
4. UNICEF Equatorial Guinea. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/
5. Ministry of Health, Equatorial Guinea. (n.d.). Healthcare Services Overview. Retrieved from http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/