48 suicides: the statistics for 2023 are depressing
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Luxembourg's Minister of Health, Martine Deprez, has responded to a parliamentary enquiry by MP Marc Goergen on suicide and mental health care. According to official figures, there were 48 suicides in 2023, corresponding to 6.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Data for 2024 are not yet available.
Statistics show that men are much more prone to suicide than women. In 2023, among 48 cases, 36 were men and 12 were women. Young people and elderly citizens are also at a higher risk. Mental disorders, chronic illness, social isolation and financial hardship are considered the main risk factors. However, there are also protective factors such as social support, self-confidence and life chances.
In recent years, Luxembourg has stepped up efforts to prevent suicide, especially among young people. As part of prevention, training sessions have been organised for teachers and schoolchildren to identify signs of mental disorders. To date, the country has already trained 6,909 professionals who know how to recognise warning symptoms.
In October 2024, 134 events were organised during Mental Health Week with the participation of 71 partners under the motto "Supporting young people - an investment in the future". GPs received additional guidance on identifying adolescents with psychological problems. In addition, in December 2024, the CePAS Centre for Psychosocial Assistance, with the support of the Solina Foundation, published guidelines for preventing addictions in schools.
Another important measure was the increase in the number of beds in the National Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service. In 2018, the unit had 35 beds and by 2025 there will be 45.
In addition, the authorities expect that the new insurance coverage scheme for psychotherapy will help to reduce the suicide rate. In 2024, 14,589 people received financial support to pay for psychotherapy services. The majority of patients are women (9,743 versus 4,846 men).
By age groups, access to insurance support was distributed as follows: 1,258 teenagers (10-19 years old) and 2,433 young people (20-29 years old) received support, while the highest level of applications came from 30-39 years old (4,077 people).
