Suicide in Lithuania

Suicide
Social aspects Altruistic suicide Benevolent suicide Copycat Epidemic Euthanasia Legislation Philosophy Religious views Right to die
Suicide crisis Assessment of risk Crisis hotline (list) Intervention Prevention Suicide watch
Suicide types Assisted Bullying and suicide Copycat Familicide Forced Honor Internet Mass Murder–suicide Prisoner suicide Pact Suicide attack
Suicide methods Asphyxiation Hanging Train Cop Seppuku
Epidemiology Among LGBT youth Gender differences Suicide rates Youth suicide
History List of suicides Suicide in antiquity List of suicides in the 21st century
In warfare Banzai charge Kamikaze Suicide attack Suicide mission
Related phenomena Suicide attempt Locations Ideation Self-harm Suicide note Suicide terminology
By country Australia Bangladesh Cameroon Canada China France Greenland India Iran Japan Lithuania Nepal Pakistan Russia South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Ukraine United Kingdom United States
Organizations Compassion & Choices Death with Dignity National Center Dignitas Exit International Final Exit Network Hemlock Society

Suicide in Lithuania has become a significant social issue in the country due to its high rate.^[1][2]

Causes

Social and financial problems in Lithuania are thought to be important factors behind the high rate of suicides. According to Onutė Davidonienė, director of the State Mental Health Center, a major reason behind the dramatic rise in suicides over the last decade is the economic and social transition. This can be linked to the Russian economic crisis of 1998 which was prolonging the phenomenon in Lithuania.^[3]

Statistics

According to a web page on world health ratings, in 2014 almost 29 out of 100,000 people in Lithuania committed suicide.^[1] In contrast, according to a report of the World Health Organization, in 1995 this number peaked at almost 46 out of 100,000.^[2]

Notable people who died by suicide in Lithuania

• 1822 Theodor Grotthuss, German, chemist
• 1943 Yitzhak Wittenberg, Jewish resistance fighter, swallowing poison
• 1972 Romas Kalanta, self-immolation protesting the Soviet regime in Lithuania
• 1989 Vytautas Vičiulis, painter, set himself ablaze
• 2006 Saulius Mykolaitis, director, actor, suicide by hanging
• 2013 Vytautas Šapranauskas, actor, comedian and TV presenter, suicide by hanging

See also

• List of countries by suicide rate

References