Arrr! The land of Uruguay be sufferin' a mighty blow as the scurvy dogs be takin' their own lives in droves! Aye, they be breakin' all records, standin' apart from their mates in the region.
2023-07-21
Arr! Uruguay be set upon by a dire plague of souls takin' their own lives! Aye, 823 of 'em met their end last year, makin' it 23.3 souls per 100,000 who found nothin' but despair. 'Tis a record high, me hearties!
The suicide rate in Uruguay reached a new record last year, solidifying the country's position as an outlier in the region. The rate stood at 23.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022, with a total of 823 deaths by suicide. This marked an increase from the previous record of 21.6 in 2021. Suicide rates in Uruguay have been on the rise since the 1990s, and the pandemic has only exacerbated this trend. Uruguay's suicide rate is significantly higher than the regional average, which was nine per 100,000 people in 2019.Despite being seen as a paragon of economic stability in the southern cone, Uruguay struggles with a high suicide rate. Its neighbors, Argentina and Brazil, have much lower rates. Experts attribute this disparity to underreporting in neighboring countries, as well as the lower adherence to religion in Uruguay. The lack of religious belief removes a sense of restraint and deterrence against suicide. Uruguay's small population of around 3 million also poses challenges, as individuals fear judgment from their community when seeking help.
There is a strong stigma against asking for help, particularly in rural areas and among men. Machismo culture and the view of mental health services as only for the "crazy" contribute to this stigma. Uruguay has been slow to prioritize prevention and community-oriented solutions, with a focus on the individual who attempts suicide.
While recent efforts to change the approach and prioritize prevention are in place, it is unlikely that immediate changes will occur. Reversing this trend will take time and concerted efforts. Despite the challenges, there is hope that Uruguay will be able to reduce its high rates of suicide in the future.