This is a record that France would gladly do without. We are more suicidal than our European neighbors. This is the conclusion of a survey conducted by the Jean Jaurès and Michel Debout Foundation, with the support of the IFOP, in Germany, Italy, Spain and France, and reported by the magazine Point.
In our country, “about 80,000 people are hospitalized following a suicide attempt and between 10,000 and 11,000 end their lives,” notes journalist Anne Jeanblanc.
Suicidal thoughts plague a large segment of the population. Thus, 61% of French people have never considered suicide compared to 80% of Italians, 72% of Spaniards and 70% of Germans. Ditto for the passage to the act where again, France is ahead of its neighbors.
Profiles differ from country to country. For example, French women make more attempts and the mortality rate is higher among men, notes the journalist. In Italy, no difference according to sex.
Professional status influences behavior. The unemployed are more exposed than employees, but the world of work remains an important determinant. Especially in France. Stress, exhaustion, 40% of our assets have had suicidal thoughts (25% in Germany). A third of French people complain about the anxiety-provoking climate (31% of Spaniards, 27% of Italians and 22% of Germans).
Finally, for those who rely on faith to escape dark thoughts, religion seems to play a minor role. Except in Spain where twice as many atheists are brooding as Catholics.
