Suicides among Costa Rica’s males has increased over the years, according to specialists and studies by Poder Judicial, despite personal problems the continuing main reasaon, following is the trend of increased workplace bullying.
According to data from the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), suicides was fourth in the list of violent deaths in 2012. The data shows that during the last decade there have been between 300 and 400 suicides a year, of which 80% was by men.
Last year the OIJ recorded 322 suicides of which 273 were men. San José is the the province with the largest incidence of suicides, one third of all suicides occurring in the capital city.
“Overall more women attempt suicide but, more men complete it…in the last four months there has been an increase in relationship problems and we’ve noticed an increase in workplace bullying”, said psychologist and Poderl Judicial expert, Kattia Quirós.
Quiros commented that studies show that 20% of the suicides last year were caused by bullying.
Firearms are used less often for suicide, hanging is more common as a method for suicide in Costa Rica. Suicide rates do not increase with age in Costa Rica.
– US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health
The psychologist says that over the years Costa Rican society has not allowed men to blow off steam and form support groups. “Not having an opportunity to vent…men do not have the opportunity to talk out their problems”, said Quiros.
According to a study by the Grupo de Investigación en Salud Mental de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) – university research group – funding for mental health programs are very limited and focused only on hospital care, a condition that leads to little prevention nationwide.
“The person is not receiving the intervention needed…is prevented from committing suicide but the cause of the problem not attacked…what we are talking about here is a failure of the system”, said Quiros, who added that many professionals are in a fight to bring about change.
Appointments for suicide risk patients should be up to three times a week, costing up to ¢90.000 colones (US$180 dollars). Most cannot afford it.
“In the CSS (Social Security) we have a bunch of people, the appointments would be every six months…yes, we are failing”, said the expert.
World Health Organization (WHO
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999, suicide is among the top ten causes of death for all age groups in North America and the majority of northern and western European countries; it represents 1 to 2 percent of total mortality.
Epidemiological knowledge about suicide in the world is limited to countries that report suicide statistics to WHO. The majority of countries in Africa, the central part of South America, and a number of Asian countries do not report data on suicides…classifying suicides as unintentional poisonings, drownings, or undetermined deaths is not unusual.
Source: CRHoy.com
Costa Rican culture requires men to present as macho and stoic – they can’t blow off steam to orher men. Women, on the other hand, ventilate constantly, if not to their mates, to their mothers, sisters, and friends. Alcoholism among males, is also a probable exacerbating factor. Treatment for mental health problems still carries a stigma here, preventing men from seeking professional help. Treatment options for those who cannot afford private treatment is limited to institutionalization for those most extreme cases – high suicide risks. I have a friend who was recently discharged from the state mental hospital while still actively hallucinating. The most effective psychotropic drugs are not available from the caja. These factors not only contribute to the suicide rate, but also probably contribute to the incidence of domestic violence. Perhaps articles such as this one will help raise awareness of the social problems that could be prevented by better public health facilities and result in real change.