Historically high suicide rates cause alarm in Argentina

Bereaved relatives and mental health specialists are trying to start a conversation about suicide in Argentina as more people than ever are choosing to end their own lives.

Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 34 in the South American country, according to data from the Criminal Policy Observatory (OPC) and the Security Ministry.

Suicide rates in Argentina — 11.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants — are lower than in neighbouring Uruguay, which has recorded 19.16 per 100,000 inhabitants. But recently surging numbers have caused alarm.

Last year, the OPC recorded a 57.6 per cent increase in suicides since 2017, and a 22.6 per cent increase since the year before.

The publication of the latest data prompted dozens of bereaved relatives to protest in Buenos Aires over the weekend.

The demonstration aimed to "raise awareness about suicide, because talking is prevention", Graciela Salazar, whose daughter took her own life in 2023, said.

"Suicide has multiple causes," said demonstrator Ariana Villarreal, whose brother died by suicide 11 years ago.

"There is a historical debt when it comes to mental health in Argentina," she added, referring to the meagre state budget allocated to mental well-being.

The Argentine Association of Mental Health also voiced concern over "a serious public health and social situation".

Suicide is "a complex phenomenon" that should not be reduced "to a single explanation or to establishing linear causal relationships," it stated.

"But it would be just as irresponsible to ignore the social, economic and professional conditions in which suffering occurs," it added, citing job losses, growing insecurity and debt.

The organisation called for "urgent responses to the underlying problems and immediate public policies for suicide prevention".