In 4 years, there were as many as 455 suicides in Montenegro, according to the data provided by the Police Directorate to CdM. There were the most of them last year – as many as 126. Although Montenegro has been at the top of the list for the number of suicides in the world for years, it practically does not have any form of support for people with suicidal thoughts, not even a national SOS line that they could call for help. Suicide prevention in Montenegro does not seem to exist. Psychologist Adrijana Pejakovic is concerned about all of this, and points out that the state desperately needs a national strategy for suicide prevention that would include an SOS line, workshops, live and online support, education, etc. She explains that the results show that countries that have introduced these programs have a significantly lower rate of suicides in relation to Montenegro, which, as far as she knows, does not have any such program.
According to the statistical data submitted to CdM, the Police Directorate recorded 126 suicides in the territory of Montenegro during 2022. In 2021, a total of 120 suicides were registered, while in 2020, there were 109 suicides in Montenegro.
Pejakovic is concerned by the data that Montenegro has been at the top of the world in the number of suicides for a long time.
“The largest number of suicides is associated with risk factors such as depression, alcoholism, interpersonal conflicts, illness and difficult life problems. The statistics show that in Montenegro, the probability of suicide is higher among people with a lower socioeconomic status, which indicates the importance of the standard of living and the feeling of security in terms of existence. Therefore, the trauma of poverty is a special risk”, Pejakovic explains.
“In order to help, extensive education and campaigning is needed regarding the importance of mental health care, information about suicide, risk factors, warning signs, family and other support systems, how to talk to a person at risk with compassion”, she stresses.
