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South Sudan

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: +211 922 500 282 (South Sudan Mental Health Crisis Helpline – Ministry of Health)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides free and confidential crisis support, suicide prevention counseling, and mental health assistance.
  2. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: +211 955 123 000 (International Medical Corps – Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Offers counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health referrals. (internationalmedicalcorps.org)
  3. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 112 (Police and Medical Emergency)
    • Notes: National emergency number for urgent psychiatric and medical assistance.
  4. Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Support:
    • Phone Number: +211 921 292 946 (UNFPA GBV Hotline – Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Trauma)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides psychological support, legal assistance, and shelter services for survivors of domestic violence. (unfpa.org)
  5. Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +211 922 405 215 (Save the Children South Sudan – Child and Youth Mental Health Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Offers emotional support, suicide prevention resources, and counseling for children and adolescents. (savethechildren.net)
Suicide Prevention in South Sudan

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 6.8 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in South Sudan are increasing due to prolonged conflict, economic instability, and displacement.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than female suicide rates, often linked to trauma from conflict, displacement, and economic hardship.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but increasing cases of suicide attempts, often related to domestic violence and forced marriages.
  2. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Rising risk due to forced displacement, lack of education, and exposure to violence.
    • Elderly (60+): Limited data, but some cases linked to isolation and economic struggles.
  3. Urban vs. Rural:
    • Suicide rates are higher in rural conflict-affected areas due to economic distress and lack of access to mental health care.
  4. Special Groups:
    • Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees: Higher suicide risk due to war trauma, PTSD, and food insecurity.
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Face severe discrimination and social exclusion, leading to high mental health challenges.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: South Sudan’s mental health policy is in early development stages, but international NGOs have established suicide prevention programs.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expansion of community-based mental health services.
    • Training healthcare workers to recognize and respond to suicide risks.
    • Integrating mental health into general healthcare services.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Hope in Crisis” – A community-driven initiative raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
  2. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Trauma Recovery Programs: Counseling services for survivors of war and gender-based violence.
    • Youth-Led Suicide Prevention Projects: Community-driven initiatives to address suicide risk among displaced youth.
  3. Collaborative Efforts:
    • South Sudan partners with WHO, UNICEF, and international mental health NGOs to improve crisis intervention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Introduction of mobile-based mental health support in refugee camps.
    • Online psychoeducation platforms providing mental health resources.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Suicide prevention training for teachers, religious leaders, and community health workers.
    • Peer-support networks providing crisis support and psychological first aid.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains highly stigmatized, leading to underreporting of cases.
    • Many individuals rely on traditional healing methods and community elders for mental health support.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national statistics on suicide trends, particularly among displaced populations.
    • Suicide attempts may be underreported due to lack of centralized mental health records.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Increased support from international organizations for mental health care.
    • Community-based suicide prevention programs gaining recognition.

References

  1. South Sudan Ministry of Health. (n.d.). National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy (in development). Retrieved from https://www.moh.gov.ss/
  2. World Bank. (2019). South Sudan – 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 South Sudan. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. International Medical Corps. (n.d.). Mental Health and Crisis Support in South Sudan. Retrieved from https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/
  5. UNFPA South Sudan. (n.d.). Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Support in South Sudan. Retrieved from https://www.unfpa.org/
  6. PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). (n.d.). Mental Health Policies and Suicide Prevention in Conflict-Affected Regions. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/
  7. UNICEF South Sudan. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in South Sudan. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/southsudan/