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Panama

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: 523-6813 / 523-6814 (Ministerio de Salud – Suicide Prevention Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Free and confidential crisis support for individuals in distress. (minsa.gob.pa)
  1. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: 169 (National Psychological Support Line – Ministry of Health)
    • Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 10 PM, Monday to Friday
    • Additional Details: Provides emotional and psychological support, including suicide prevention counseling.
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 911
    • Notes: National emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire services.
  1. LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: +507 6675-4548 (Asociación Hombres y Mujeres Nuevos de Panamá – LGBTQ+ Support Line)
    • Hours of Operation: By appointment
    • Additional Details: Offers psychological and emotional support to LGBTQIA+ individuals. (ahmnp-panama.org)
  1. Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: 830-8296 (Fundación Relaciones Sanas – Adolescent and Family Mental Health Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 10 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Saturday
    • Additional Details: Provides psychological support to adolescents and their families. (relacionessanas.org)
Suicide Prevention in Panama

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 3.6 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Panama remain low compared to the global average but have shown an increasing trend, particularly among young people and Indigenous communities.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than females, in line with global patterns.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but women report higher rates of non-fatal suicide attempts.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Rising concern due to academic stress, cyberbullying, and family conflicts.
    • Elderly (60+): Limited data, but some cases linked to social isolation and financial insecurity.
  1. Urban vs. Rural vs. Indigenous Communities:
    • Suicide rates are higher in Indigenous and rural areas, where access to mental health services is limited.
    • Indigenous groups face cultural and socio-economic pressures contributing to mental health distress.
  1. Special Groups:
    • Indigenous Communities: Suicide rates among Indigenous Panamanians, particularly the Ngäbe-Buglé people, are disproportionately high.
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Higher rates of mental health struggles and suicide risk due to discrimination and social stigma.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Panama integrates suicide prevention into its National Mental Health Plan, focusing on accessibility and early intervention.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expansion of crisis helplines and mental health services.
    • Integration of suicide prevention programs in schools and workplaces.
    • Community-based support programs targeting Indigenous populations.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Hablemos de Salud Mental” (“Let’s Talk About Mental Health”) campaign promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Youth Suicide Prevention Programs: School-based mental health initiatives aimed at early detection and intervention.
    • Community Support for Indigenous Groups: Government and NGO programs providing culturally sensitive mental health services.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • Panama collaborates with WHO, PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), and regional mental health organizations to enhance suicide prevention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Telepsychiatry services expanding access to mental health care.
    • Social media campaigns promoting suicide prevention awareness.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Suicide prevention training for teachers, healthcare workers, and community leaders.
    • Support groups for individuals affected by suicide and mental health challenges.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains a stigmatized issue in Panama, particularly in Indigenous communities where mental health is often addressed through traditional healing practices.
    • Growing efforts are being made to integrate mental health into primary healthcare services.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national data on suicide among LGBTQIA+ individuals and Indigenous populations.
    • Suicide attempts may be underreported due to stigma and lack of mental health awareness.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Increasing government investment in mental health awareness and psychiatric care.
    • Digital mental health solutions are expanding accessibility, particularly in remote regions.

References

  1. Panama Ministry of Health (MINSA). (n.d.). National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.minsa.gob.pa/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Panama – 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 Panama. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Fundación Relaciones Sanas. (n.d.). Mental Health and Youth Suicide Prevention Programs in Panama. Retrieved from https://www.relacionessanas.org/
  5. Asociación Hombres y Mujeres Nuevos de Panamá. (n.d.). LGBTQIA+ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Support in Panama. Retrieved from https://www.ahmnp-panama.org/
  6. PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). (n.d.). Mental Health Policies and Suicide Prevention in Latin America. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/
  7. UNICEF Panama. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Panama. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/panama/