Suicide Mortality Patterns in Greek Work Force before and during the Economic Crisis

Abstract

Background: The global recession of 2007 has attracted research attention in regard to a possible increase of deaths by suicide among employed populations. The aim of the current study was to update the first Greek study on suicide mortality among broad occupational groups during 2000–2009, with the last available data covering the first period of economic crisis and recession in Greece. Methods: Data on suicide deaths for the age groups of 15–39, 40–49 and 50–59, between 2000–2013 were retrieved from the national statististical authority of Greece, ELSTAT. The coding of suicide used was X60–X84 (intentional self-harm), based on the 10th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Comparative mortality ratio (CMR) and exact 95% confidence intervals (CI) are presented. Results: Males and females in the occupational group of clerks exhibited high and increased CMRs during the crisis period (2010–2013). Although high ratios for males in elementary, agricultural and fishery and armed forces occupational groups were monitored during the whole period, a decrease was evident during the crisis period. Increased trends in CMRs during the crisis were monitored for both males and females in the broad occupational group of members including managers, executives and directors. In addition, females especially in the 50–59 age group showed increased ratios and trends in several occupational groups during the crisis, especially in technologists and associate professionals, plant and machine operators and assemblers, professionals, and craft and related trade workers. Conclusions: Austerity-related stress should alert key stakeholders and provide mental health and suicide prevention interventions for employed occupations.

Temporal trends in incidence of hospital-treated self-harm among adolescents in Denmark: national register-based study

“…Studies examining emergency department (ED) visits in Western countries (including Ireland, the US, Denmark and the UK) have found the highest rates of self-harm among girls aged between 15 and 19 years [5][6][7][8][9]. A substantial body of evidence indicates that economic recession and its aftermath is associated with increases in rates of suicide and self-harm, though much of this work focuses on the working-age population [10][11][12]. Evidence from a study of ED presentations in Ireland [5] and also from a primary care patient cohort in the UK [13] indicate that self-harm incidence rates among adolescent females increased from around the time of the 2008 economic recession and through the era of subsequent austerity measures.…”

Impact of economic crisis on mental health: a 10-year challenge

“…49 Interestingly, a relationship was described between suicide rates and type occupation between 2000 and 2013 with clerks showing the higher increase. 50 Income turns out to impact on suicide rates, even adjusting for confounding factors, in men but not in women. 39 Data from the Athens Department of Forensic Medicine, retrieved between 2008 and 2012, highlighted how seasonality played a significant role on suicide rates during the crisis with peaks in May and June.…”

Risk of an Increase in Suicide Rates Associated With Economic Downturn due to COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The risk of an increased suicide rate due to an economic downturn has been reported in countries that met serious economic crises. 4,5 It is most likely that economic depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic causes an increase in the suicide rate around the world. It is desirable that government agencies, economists, physicians, sociologists, private organizations, and the public cooperate closely to promptly address this major concern.…”