The Ministry of Public Health published the data that was generated through the use of a new method.
This week the Ministry of Public Health reported that, between November 2022 and January 2023, 1020 suicide attempts were registered, the information was obtained through a new digital method.
“We have real-time monitoring of self-deletion attempts. This has been done since November and they have detected 1,020 self-elimination attempts until January,” he explained. Jose Luis Satdjian, Undersecretary of Public Health. Previously, suicide attempt records were made through a paper record. As of November of last year, a digital system was implemented that makes a report in real time.
The chief explained at a press conference that, once the case is detected, a follow-up is carried out taking into account that the regulations specify “that the person must have psychiatric care in a maximum of six days.”
On the other hand, he highlighted that in Uruguay there is an upward trend in suicide attempts, if compared to the year 2022 where the number was 818. “The trend is from more than 20 years ago to the increase in the number of Uruguayans who take their own lives. There had been a peak in 2002, which was later exceeded in recent times, ”he explained.
Satdjian also recalled and emphasized that the Suicide Prevention Line is open 24 hours a day and is available to the entire population: 0800 0767 / *0767.
youth mental health
Last month, the Ministry of Social Development (Mides) announced the main lines of action to strengthen the work in mental healthafter the president Luis Lacalle Pou situate this issue, along with addictions, as the government’s priorities for the next Accountability. The measures will be aimed at people living on the streets, graduates of the penitentiary system and adolescents, according to the head of the portfolio, Martin Lema, who will work together with Ministry of Public Health.
Source: Ambito
