SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA celebrates the approval in Congress of paid leave to accompany people at risk of suicide
The measure was approved unanimously and with it, it is possible to offer people at risk of suicide fundamental help for their recovery process. However, it must not be forgotten that suicide is a social problem, for the prevention of which it is essential to have quality public attention to mental health.
The Plenary of the Congress of Deputies has unanimously approved, with 340 votes in favor, the non-legal proposal (PNL), presented by Más País, which will allow paid work permits of up to two weeks to accompany people at risk to take his life. The permits will have to be granted by the health or psychology professionals who care for the affected person.
At SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA we celebrate the approval of this measure, since it constitutes an important element in the process of improvement and/or recovery of a person who has attempted suicide. Likewise, it is a measure that also benefits the mental health of family members and companions of the person at risk of suicide, since being close to them, supporting them and caring for them in moments of fragility gives them peace of mind.
However, from the Confederation we do not want to stop remembering and vindicating the importance of having quality public mental health care, since the approval of this measure should not mean an overload of care on the part of families, since it Suicide is a social problem for which comprehensive care policy measures are needed.
People who attempt suicide, or commit suicide, do not want to die but rather to stop suffering. Therefore, investing in the necessary resources to mitigate this suffering, among other aspects, as on this occasion, makes its prevention possible.
The causes of suicidal behavior are numerous and complex and, for the most part, are related to life situations, either constant or circumstantial, such as poverty, unemployment, the loss of loved ones, the breakdown of relationships, abuse in childhood, social isolation, or certain mental disorders, among others, which is why at SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA we defend the need to intervene on all these causes to solve the serious public health problem that suicide currently represents.
In Spain, according to the latest updated data from the INE, in 2021 4,003 people committed suicide (an average of 11 per day), 1.6% more than in 2020. In addition, it is estimated that for every adult person who commits suicide, there are another 20 who try. Each suicide intimately affects at least six other people.
The increase in suicides among minors and young people is also alarming. In fact, due to the International Day for the Prevention of Suicide 2022, which is celebrated on September 10, the Confederation focused on the aspects and risk factors to be taken into account among the child, youth and adolescent population.
At SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA we also remind you of the 024 telephone service for suicidal behaviour, a free and accessible public resource, available 24 hours a day, and managed by Psychology professionals, whose objective is to care for people with behavior or ideation Suicidal and his entourage.