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Palestine (State of Palestine)

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: 121 (SAWA Organization – National Suicide Prevention Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Free and confidential support available in Arabic for individuals in distress. (sawa.ps)
  1. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: +970 2 242 8721 (Mental Health Unit – Palestinian Ministry of Health)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 5 PM, Sunday to Thursday
    • Additional Details: Provides crisis support, mental health counseling, and referrals. (moh.ps)
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 101 (Ambulance), 100 (Police)
    • Notes: National emergency number for medical, police, and fire services.
  1. NGO and Community-Based Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +970 59 920 0640 (Gaza Community Mental Health Programme – Psychological Support Services)
    • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 4 PM, Sunday to Thursday
    • Additional Details: Provides trauma counseling, suicide prevention, and mental health services for individuals affected by conflict. (gcmhp.org)
Suicide Prevention in Palestine

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 2.3 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Palestine are low compared to global averages but have been rising due to economic hardship, political instability, and ongoing conflict.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than females, reflecting global trends.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but suicide attempts are more frequent among women, often linked to domestic violence and social oppression.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Suicide is increasing due to unemployment, hopelessness, and exposure to conflict-related trauma.
    • Elderly (60+): Higher suicide risk is linked to financial difficulties, loss of family members, and health-related concerns.
  1. Urban vs. Rural vs. Refugee Camps:
    • Suicide rates are higher in refugee camps due to overcrowding, poverty, and limited access to mental health services.
  1. Special Groups:
    • Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons: High suicide risk due to long-term displacement, trauma, and lack of opportunities.
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Face significant social stigma and persecution, leading to high mental health distress.
    • Survivors of War and Conflict: Suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety, contributing to increased suicide risk.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Suicide prevention efforts are part of Palestine’s National Mental Health Strategy, but resources are extremely limited.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expanding access to community-based mental health services.
    • Training healthcare workers in suicide prevention and trauma care.
    • Public education campaigns addressing mental health stigma.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Hope Beyond Trauma” – A mental health campaign raising awareness about PTSD and suicide prevention.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Youth Suicide Prevention Programs: School-based psychological support programs in refugee camps.
    • Trauma Counseling for Conflict Survivors: Mental health support for individuals affected by violence and war.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Palestine partners with WHO, UNRWA, and international NGOs to enhance mental health support and suicide prevention initiatives.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • WhatsApp-based crisis support services to help individuals in distress.
    • Online mental health awareness campaigns targeting young people.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Suicide prevention training for religious leaders, educators, and social workers.
    • Peer-support networks in refugee camps and crisis-affected communities.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Mental health stigma remains a major challenge, with many individuals preferring religious or traditional healing over psychiatric support.
    • Suicide is often viewed as a social taboo, leading to underreporting of cases.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national data on suicide trends among refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and women experiencing domestic violence.
    • Suicide attempts are likely underreported due to legal and cultural stigma.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Increasing focus on mental health services, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
    • Growing use of digital mental health solutions to reach at-risk populations.

References

  1. Palestinian Ministry of Health. (n.d.). National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.moh.ps/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Palestine – 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 Palestine. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. SAWA Organization. (n.d.). Suicide Prevention Helpline and Crisis Services in Palestine. Retrieved from https://www.sawa.ps/
  5. Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP). (n.d.). Trauma and Suicide Prevention Support in Palestine. Retrieved from https://www.gcmhp.org/
  6. UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency). (n.d.). Mental Health Support for Refugees in Palestine. Retrieved from https://www.unrwa.org/
  7. UNICEF Palestine. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Palestine. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/palestine/