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Qatar

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: 16000 (Mental Health Helpline – Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC))
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides free, confidential mental health support and crisis intervention. (hamad.qa)
  1. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: +974 4457 8333 (Sidra Medicine – Women’s and Children’s Mental Health Services)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 8 PM, Sunday to Thursday
    • Additional Details: Focuses on mental health care for women, children, and adolescents. (sidra.org)
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 999
    • Notes: National emergency number for police, fire, and medical assistance.
  1. LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Support:
    • Support Availability: LGBTQ+ individuals in Qatar face legal and social challenges in accessing mental health support. Online platforms and international hotlines may offer assistance.
  1. Workplace and Migrant Worker Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: 800 0000 (Qatar Red Crescent – Migrant Workers Psychological Support Line)
    • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 5 PM, Sunday to Thursday
    • Additional Details: Offers mental health support and counseling for migrant workers facing distress. (qrcs.org.qa)
Suicide Prevention in Qatar

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 4.8 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Qatar remain relatively low, but concerns have grown due to an increase in cases among expatriate workers.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Significantly higher than female suicide rates, particularly among migrant laborers.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower overall, but mental health concerns among women remain significant.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Increasing mental health challenges due to academic stress and cultural expectations.
    • Elderly (60+): Limited data, but mental health struggles among the elderly population exist.
  1. Migrant Worker Suicide Rates:
    • A significant portion of reported suicides involve expatriate laborers from South Asia and Africa.
    • Work-related stress, social isolation, and financial burdens contribute to high suicide risk.
  1. Special Groups:
    • Migrant Laborers: High risk of mental distress due to harsh working conditions, isolation, and economic insecurity.
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Lack of legal protection and social stigma increase mental health challenges.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Qatar’s National Mental Health Strategy (2013–2023) emphasizes improving mental health services and suicide prevention efforts.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expanding access to mental health services within primary healthcare centers.
    • Training healthcare professionals and employers on suicide prevention.
    • Reducing stigma around mental health through public awareness campaigns.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Your Mental Health Matters” – A campaign promoting open discussions about mental health and encouraging people to seek help.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Migrant Worker Mental Health Support: Mental health programs launched in labor camps to improve access to services.
    • Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Initiatives: School-based programs addressing mental well-being.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Qatar collaborates with WHO, the Middle East Mental Health Network, and other global organizations to improve suicide prevention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Telehealth services expanding access to mental health professionals.
    • AI-driven mental health support platforms providing crisis intervention.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Workplace suicide prevention initiatives in labor-intensive industries.
    • Peer-support networks offering psychological assistance in migrant communities.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains a highly sensitive issue in Qatari society, and discussing mental health openly is still challenging.
    • Stigma around mental illness prevents many individuals from seeking professional help.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national data on suicide among LGBTQIA+ individuals and high-risk groups such as domestic workers.
    • Suicide attempts may be underreported due to legal and social stigma.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Government initiatives aim to improve mental health access for all residents, including expatriates.
    • Digital mental health solutions are becoming more common, making mental health services more accessible.

References

  1. Qatar Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). (n.d.). National Mental Health Strategy (2013–2023). Retrieved from https://www.moph.gov.qa/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Qatar – 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 Qatar. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). (n.d.). Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support Services in Qatar. Retrieved from https://www.hamad.qa/
  5. Sidra Medicine. (n.d.). Women’s and Children’s Mental Health Services in Qatar. Retrieved from https://www.sidra.org/
  6. Qatar Red Crescent Society. (n.d.). Mental Health Support for Migrant Workers in Qatar. Retrieved from https://www.qrcs.org.qa/
  7. UNICEF Qatar. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Qatar. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/qatar/