Historically high suicide rates cause alarm in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, September 19 — Suicides in Argentina have reached historically high levels, prompting concern among bereaved relatives and mental health professionals. The Criminal Policy Observatory and the security ministry report suicide as the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 34. The rate stands at 11.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

While this figure is lower than Uruguay's 19.16, recent numbers have sparked alarm. Last year, the OPC noted a 57.6 percent increase in suicides since 2017, and a 22.6 percent rise since the previous year. This surge prompted dozens of bereaved families to protest in Buenos Aires last weekend, seeking to raise awareness that "talking is prevention."

One demonstrator, Graciela Salazar, whose daughter took her own life in 2023, lamented the "historical debt when it comes to mental health" in Argentina, citing the inadequate state budget for mental wellbeing. The Argentine Association of Mental Health echoed these worries, describing suicide as a "serious public health and social situation" that requires urgent attention and public policies to address underlying issues like job losses, insecurity, and debt.

In response, Argentina's northeastern Corrientes province recently approved a resolution demanding government action to prevent suicides on a bridge where many incidents have occurred. Authorities have installed barriers, lighting, video surveillance, and emergency phones on the Parana River bridge, with volunteers stationed 24/7. Since 2023, the Angels of the Bridge organization has rescued 341 lives through these efforts.