Suicide-Prevention and Suicide-Attempt-Prevention

DIGNITAS gives intensive consideration to the question of suicide- and suicide-attempt prevention. The fact that every year in Switzerland up to 66’650 suicide attempts fail – in the UK this number is up to 264’800 – demands that we deal with this issue. Many people injure themselves badly and suffer long-lasting physical and often also mental problems, with severe emotional and financial consequences for themselves, their next-of-kin and friends, and also for the public health system and the economy.

The suicide issue must be freed from the taboo surrounding it and discussed openly. In a similar way to the issue of abortion, an ideal solution will not be readily available. How- ever, it is our duty to search for the best answer to the problem. DIGNITAS always looks for opportunities to help people towards life instead of death.

"Suicide-Prevention must be complemented by Suicide-Attempt-Prevention"

Speech of Ludwig A. Minelli on this issue at the congress of the World Federation of Right-to-Die Societies in Zürich (PDF)

Suicide Prevention around the World:

UK: The Samaritans (Link)   Phone: 116 123

USA: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Link) Phone: 1-800 273 8255

Australia: Lifeline Crisis Support (Link) Phone: 13 11 14

Further suicide prevention hotlines/contacts around the world (Link)

Swiss Federal Statistical Office: Assisted Suicide and Suicide in Switzerland 1998 - 2009 (PDF-file, in German and French)

Comparative chart: Accompaniments by DIGNITAS and EXIT, suicide and suicide attempts in Switzerland (PDF-file)

The World Health Organization WHO on suicide prevention (Link)

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) on suicide prevention (Link, in German and French)

Suicide and suicide prevention on Wikipedia (Link)

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