An average of 73 people commit suicide in Wallonia every year. This figure is higher than in the rest of Belgium and places Wallonia amongst European regions most affected by suicide, insists the Socialist union Solidaris on Tuesday. However, there are notable differences between provinces, Luxemburg being particularly hit with a suicide rate of 25.16 per 100,000 people, reveal data collected by ISP (Public Health Institute) between 2006 and 2010. The suicide rate in Wallonia is 22% higher than in Flanders, 28% higher than in France, 84% higher than in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, 85% higher than in Germany, and 136% higher than in the Netherlands, according to the Interregional Association for Guidance and Health.
3 out of every 4 suicides in Wallonia are male, and a majority of these aged between 45 and 49. The majority of female suicides are aged 50 to 54 years. Between 2006 and 2010, in the Namur province, ISP recorded a suicide rate of 24.4 for every 100,000 inhabitants. During the same period, Liège province recorded 24.28 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants, there were 20.82 in Hainault and 17.24 in Walloon Brabant.
Amongst the 10 Walloon districts with the highest suicide rates, 3 are in the Luxemburg province: Marche-en-Famenne, Virton, and Neufchâteau. Although there are many reasons for suicides, Solidaris points to the high number of isolated people in the Luxemburg province and the long distances between psychological support systems.
(Source: Belga)
