region still most affected by suicide

February 5th is National Suicide Prevention Day. With 729 deaths in 2015 and approximately 6,700 hospitalizations per year over the past ten years, Brittany remains the French region most affected by suicidal behavior.

On the occasion of the national suicide prevention day february 5Public Health France draws up in all metropolitan and overseas regions a detailed inventory of suicides, suicide attempts resulting in a visit to the emergency room and/or hospitalization and suicidal behavior declared in the general population.

Brittany is the region most affected by the phenomenon. In 2015, there were 24.7 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants. A total of 729 deaths by suicide in Brittany that year.

However, as across the country, this rate has been falling significantly over the past few years. Between 2000 and 2015, it varied from 29.9 to 24.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in Brittany.

Hospitalizations: a majority of women

Suicidal behaviors affect the Breton departments in a heterogeneous way with Côtes-d’Armor particularly affected in terms of suicide mortality and hospitalization for attempted suicide. There are approximately 278 cases of hospitalization per 100,000 inhabitants.. Conversely, the least affected department is Ille-et-Vilaine with 183 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

With a standardized hospitalization rate for attempted suicide of 212.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017, the Brittany region was above the national rate (148 per 100,000 inhabitants). With Normandy, Hauts-de-France and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, it presented one of the largest differentials compared to the national rate (more than 20%).

The hospitalization rate showed a downward trend as at the national level.

Suicidal thoughts affect all age groups

After decreasing between 2005 and 2010, the prevalence of suicidal thoughts has increased significantly since 2010.

In 2017, 5.1% of adults aged 18 to 75 surveyed in Brittany said they had had suicidal thoughts over the last twelve months (i.e. approximately 117,000 people), and 7.4% said they had attempted suicide during their lifetime.

According to the results of national analyses, living alone and/or being unemployed or inactive would be aggravating factors towards suicidal thoughts. On the other hand, the fact of being a graduate or having above-average income would ward off dark thoughts.

Smoking and drinking alcohol daily would also seem to lead the consumer more easily towards suicidal thoughts.

Finally, the prevalence of suicidal thoughts during the last 12 months is higher among 25-75 year olds. But suicide attempts are higher among 18-54 year olds.