Over 3,000 Thais Commit Suicide Each Year

[webfact]

Over 3,000 Thais commit suicide each year

BANGKOK (NNT) -- According to the statistics from the Department of Mental Health, more than 3,000 Thai people commit suicide each year.

Director General of the Department of Mental Health Chatree Banchuen revealed that the suicide rate in Thailand currently stood at 5.9 per 100,000 people or 2,000-3,000 people per year. However, he said the rate was still considered low if compared to those in Japan and Korea. Up to 15-20 per 100,000 people in the countries kill themselves each year, 40% of whom undergo depression only within 24-48 hours in advance. The major cause of their suicide is the lack of hope and parental warmth.

In response to concerns that youth might imitate suicidal acts portrayed on television soap operas, Dr Chatree pleaded the media and television producers to refrain from presenting provocative contents. The director general also suggested parents to closely monitor their children’s behaviors to prevent them from making reckless decisions which could lead to suicide.

-- NNT 2010-07-05

[elkangorito]

Up to 15-20 per 100,000 people in the countries kill themselves each year, 40% of whom undergo depression only within 24-48 hours in advance

I didn't know that one 'underwent' depression. I thought that depression was something that one endured.

Besides the poor English of the article, I wonder how many people succumb to depression (& thus suicide) as a result of 'culture shock'?

Edited July 5, 2010 by elkangorito

[yumidesign]

Up to 15-20 per 100,000 people in the countries kill themselves each year, 40% of whom undergo depression only within 24-48 hours in advance

I didn't know that one 'underwent' depression. I thought that depression was something that one endured.

Besides the poor English of the article, I wonder how many people succumb to depression (& thus suicide) as a result of 'culture shock'?

i am not sure that you are qualified to comment on this

[sokal]

The reason is that Japan and S Korea have the longest work hours in the world. They work like slaves. Somebody should introduce them to the concept of leisure.

[tigerboy]

The reason is that Japan and S Korea have the longest work hours in the world. They work like slaves. Somebody should introduce them to the concept of leisure.

That's why they come *here* I thought...

Edited July 5, 2010 by tigerboy

[hkt83100]

> In response to concerns that youth might imitate suicidal

> acts portrayed on television soap operas, [...]

I must confess, if I would have to watch these soaps day-in day-out,

I would prefer to commit suicide, too. It is not imitating, it is just

trying to escape the utmost horrible stupid (insert whatever you like)

soaps on earth.

---

If you read all my rant, thank you for your time.

[doubledoppelganger]

A higher rate, per capita, of suicide exists in Australia with an estimated 2000 people killing themselves each year, with 1 third of the total population of Thailand. A lot of these suicides occur due to family breakdown and the flawed justice system being more lenient towards the female taking custody the children. Another interesting statistic is that unknowingly 1 in 4 Australian men arent even the biological Father to their child(ren)!! Now...whats wrong with this picture?

[bangkokburning]

The reason Koreans and Japanese commit suicide in higher numbers goes to the culture. Their failures in career, employment, money issues, divorce and especially to the kids - school. Little or nothing to do with hours they with on their asses in an office doing nothing but looking out the window and harassing the cute office workers.

[OzMick]

As explained to me by my dr, the 3 major triggers of depression are divorce, moving home and changing jobs. It is a medical condition which has nothing to do with your current life situation - you can suffer depression when you think that things are fine!

Many to most expats will have experienced all 3 major triggers in coming here, and possibly get another dose after arriving. This can be a life threatening illness and requires medical treatment. Alcohol only worsens the symptoms - mainly erratic/irrational behavior and crying jags. Be aware, and if your attempts to help are not appreciated, gently persist. It's better than wondering if you tried hard enough after a friend tops himself.

[singa-traz]

The reason is that Japan and S Korea have the longest work hours in the world. They work like slaves. Somebody should introduce them to the concept of leisure.

How do you explain the statistics for France? ... too much leisure?

[Briggsy]

I wonder how many of these suicides are uninvestigated, conveniently forgotten about murders.

[march]

Chatree Banchuen revealed that the suicide rate in Thailand currently stood at 5.9 per 100,000 people

Seems they are making progress in reducing suicide in Thailand:

In 2002, the suicide rate in Thailand stood at 7.9 per 100,000 people

And with those higher 2002 stats, Thailand stood at 58th place out of 106 countries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

btw, the current average world suicide rate stands at 10.07 per 100,000 people

additionally,

* There are approximately one million suicides worldwide each year.

* Every 40 seconds somebody dies by suicide.

http://chartsbin.com/view/prm

[sokal]

The reason Koreans and Japanese commit suicide in higher numbers goes to the culture. Their failures in career, employment, money issues, divorce and especially to the kids - school. Little or nothing to do with hours they with on their asses in an office doing nothing but looking out the window and harassing the cute office workers.

And why do you think they might have family issues ?

the amount of hours they work maybe ?

The average S Korean has a 34% longer work week then the US.

[Payboy]

The average S Korean has a 34% longer work week then the US.

At least that's what they are telling their wives.

[geriatrickid]

A higher rate, per capita, of suicide exists in Australia with an estimated 2000 people killing themselves each year, with 1 third of the total population of Thailand. A lot of these suicides occur due to family breakdown and the flawed justice system being more lenient towards the female taking custody the children. Another interesting statistic is that unknowingly 1 in 4 Australian men arent even the biological Father to their child(ren)!! Now...whats wrong with this picture?

I did a double take on this and had a look at the stats (Australian health and WHO data base). I was suprised to see that males account for a large chunk of suicides in Australia. I never would expected such a high incidence. Same thing applies to Thailand.

25-44 year old males in Australia are more likely than any other group to suicide. Same holds true for Thailand. One difference is that the Thai female rate of suicide is significantly higher than that of Australian women. I also came across one hypothesis that homosexuality issues may be involved in up to one third of young men under 24 who suicide in Australia. I have no idea if that is the case in Thailand. The Australian data parallels the data from the USA, Canada and the UK. (And how do the researchers come to that conclusion? They interview those that failed in their attempts and extrapolate.)

Another interesting difference is that suicide rates increase for Australian males 75+, whereas they drop for Thai males 75+.

It would seem that overall the Thai males are far more emotionally stable when it comes to suicide than their Australian counterparts. So much for stereotypes.

http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/thai.pdf

[kaorop]

A higher rate, per capita, of suicide exists in Australia with an estimated 2000 people killing themselves each year, with 1 third of the total population of Thailand. A lot of these suicides occur due to family breakdown and the flawed justice system being more lenient towards the female taking custody the children. Another interesting statistic is that unknowingly 1 in 4 Australian men arent even the biological Father to their child(ren)!! Now...whats wrong with this picture?

I did a double take on this and had a look at the stats (Australian health and WHO data base). I was suprised to see that males account for a large chunk of suicides in Australia. I never would expected such a high incidence. Same thing applies to Thailand.

25-44 year old males in Australia are more likely than any other group to suicide. Same holds true for Thailand. One difference is that the Thai female rate of suicide is significantly higher than that of Australian women. I also came across one hypothesis that homosexuality issues may be involved in up to one third of young men under 24 who suicide in Australia. I have no idea if that is the case in Thailand. The Australian data parallels the data from the USA, Canada and the UK. (And how do the researchers come to that conclusion? They interview those that failed in their attempts and extrapolate.)

Another interesting difference is that suicide rates increase for Australian males 75+, whereas they drop for Thai males 75+.

It would seem that overall the Thai males are far more emotionally stable when it comes to suicide than their Australian counterparts. So much for stereotypes.

http://www.who.int/m.../media/thai.pdf

'far more emotionally stable' give us a break p.o.d

Something like 38 support agencies for women in oz, compared with 2 for men, one reason.

The gender discrimination in oz family law, courts, child support etc. another

thai men do not face such persecution

[geriatrickid]

'far more emotionally stable' give us a break p.o.d

Something like 38 support agencies for women in oz, compared with 2 for men, one reason.

The gender discrimination in oz family law, courts, child support etc. another

thai men do not face such persecution

Yes, Thai males are more emotionally stable if they commit suicide at a lower incidence than Australian males. One is hardly stable if one kills himself.

Gender discrimination? Do you by any chance have some issues manifesting themself now? Perhaps an unpleasant divorce? The suicide support groups in Australia are non discriminatory, even if structured to serve certain demographic groups. If someone calls, help is available. Lifeline is one of those organizations.

There are at least 9 specialist agencies that help males. Here's the link. http://suicidepreventionaust.org/Links/21.aspx

The women's focused groups are not just focused on women. They are directed at helping families and children. Thailand has the same position. The reason is attributable to the fact that it is usually the woman that will put the children's interest first and that will provide for the kids. Sorry if you disagree, but I direct you to the Thai experience. How many foreign women abandon their families and cut off all ties to their kids, relocating to Thailand to take up with some barboy? I haven't met or seen one yet. However, if one spits anywhere in the entertainment zones of Patong, Pattaya or Bangkok, one is likely to hit a foreign male that has abandonded his family to live live out his hedonistic desires.

[cdnvic]

One post deleted for profanity.

[astral]

Possibly a good headline at time of quiet news?

The total figure may look bad, but looking for comparison it is not that really so bad.

Out of interest I looked up the latest statistics for the UK.

There are more suicides in males than females.

In 2008, there were 17.7 suicides per 100,000 population in men and 5.4 per 100,000 in women.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/sui0110.pdf

Here is a worldwide list.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate