The Ministry of Health revealed that 46 cases of suicide occurred among employees, visitors, and observers in its affiliated entities and facilities over the past 10 years, most of which were among inpatients in public hospitals.
In a recent guide issued in early 2023, the ministry stated that this number was recorded between 2011 and 2020, noting that males accounted for 71% of suicides, while females accounted for 29% of cases.
The report, which came under the title “Guide to Suicide Prevention” and read “News 24Accordingly, the most cases of suicide were among inpatients in public hospitals, which indicates the need to educate staff to assess the condition of psychiatric patients and those with high-risk suicidal tendencies.
According to the evidence, the facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Health in the eastern region recorded the highest suicide rate in 10 years, with 10 cases, followed by Jeddah 8, Riyadh 6, Taif 5, Makkah 4, Asir 3, Jazan 2, Al-Jawf 2, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 2, and finally one suicide case in each of Al-Baha, Hail, Al-Qassim and Al-Qunfudhah.
The guide indicated that 41 suicide cases were recorded for inpatients and 5 for employees, visitors and observers, 2 of whom were in Riyadh, and 1 in each of the Eastern Province, Al-Baha and Asir.
Means of suicide
He pointed out that suicides by hanging were the most common method of suicide, at 60%, followed by jumping from windows at 27%, and finally being injured by sharp objects at 13%.
With regard to the time of the suicides, the guide showed that 59% of the cases occurred at a critical time during the evening and night shift.