Israel Reports Drop in Suicide Rates After October 7 Hamas Attack
Tel Aviv, Israel – August 20: Israel’s Ministry of Health has released data showing a decrease in suicide rates from October to December 2023, following the October 7 Hamas terror attack and the Iron Swords War in Gaza.
The Ministry of Health, along with the Mental Health Division and the National Suicide Prevention Council, has been monitoring suicidal behavior trends since the events of October 7, 2023. Despite individual incidents reported in the media, the data indicates a decline in suicide cases compared to the same months in previous years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This trend is similar to previous periods of emergency situations in Israel and worldwide, which can be partly explained by increased social cohesion during such times.
Key Data
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Deaths | Suicide accounts for about 1% of all deaths among people aged 15 and over in Israel. |
| Young People | In 2020, suicide was the second most common cause of death among young people aged 15-24, with 437 deaths. |
| Age-Standardized Rate | 6.4 per 100,000 people (10.4 for men and 2.7 for women). |
| Suicide Attempts in 2022 | 6,861 recorded attempts. |
| Gender Disparity | Men’s suicide rate is 3.8 times higher than women’s. |
| International Comparison | Israel ranks third lowest for men and sixth lowest for women in suicide rates among 33 Western countries. |
Doubts Revealed
Israel -: Israel is a country in the Middle East, located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
Suicide Rates -: Suicide rates refer to the number of people who take their own lives in a specific period.
October 7 Hamas Attack -: On October 7, 2023, a group called Hamas carried out a terror attack in Israel, causing many problems and fear.
Ministry of Health -: The Ministry of Health is a part of the government in Israel that takes care of public health and medical services.
Iron Swords War -: The Iron Swords War refers to a conflict between Israel and groups in Gaza, which started after the October 7 attack.
COVID-19 period -: The COVID-19 period refers to the time when the world was dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, which started in 2019.
Western countries -: Western countries are nations in Europe and North America, like the USA, UK, and Germany.