Last year, 1,453 Swedes committed suicide, according to new statistics from the National Board of Health and Welfare's cause of death register. A turnaround – before that, the number of suicides had increased for several years in a row.
We think it's incredibly gratifying that fewer people died by suicide compared to 2023, says Hanna Strindlund, communications manager at the non-profit organization Suicide Zero.
Of those who committed suicide in 2024, about two-thirds were men, a pattern that stretches far back in time.
No trend break
In 2020, 1,459 Swedes took their lives, the following year the same figure was 1,519. In 2022, it had increased to 1,579 and the following year, 2023, the figure was 1,617. The statistics apply to both certain and so-called uncertain suicides, where one is uncertain about the intent behind the death.
But despite the decrease, Hanna Strindlund emphasizes that it is too early to see it as a trend break.
We can be happy this year, but it's not possible from one year to another to say what will happen in the long term, she says and adds:
Everyone working with suicide prevention cannot breathe a sigh of relief and lean back, but now it's a matter of keeping up and really continuing to fight on with this issue and the efforts needed so that the number of suicides can actually decrease in the long term.
"Gratifying"
In January, the government announced a new ten-year national strategy for suicide prevention, and earlier in September, it was proposed that an accident commission be established every time a child commits suicide.
It's gratifying with investments in psychiatry, but the resources you allocate must be available in the long term so that the municipalities can plan their work, says Hanna Strindlund.
Fact: Here you can turn if you're feeling unwell
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In acute situations or when thinking about suicide, always call 112.
The on-call fellow human being can be reached at night on 08-702 16 80.
The on-call priest is available at night. Call 112 and ask to speak with the on-call priest.
The Poison Information Center, 010-45 66 700, is available around the clock.
The Suicide Line is available via chat and phone 90 101 around the clock, every day.
The Parent Line, 020-85 20 00. Open weekdays at 10–15 and Thursday evenings 19.00–21.00.
Bris: Call, email or chat. Phone: 116 111.
Source: mind.se
