Hand presented with more suicide calls

The Dargebote Hand received more suicide calls in the first seven months of 2023 than in previous years. Compared to 2019, calls have increased by 34 percent, compared to 2022 by eleven percent. As a result, suicide calls did not return to pre-Covid 19 levels.

On the other hand, many other topics took a turn for the worse after the pandemic years, as the Dargebote Hand announced on Wednesday with its advice phone at number 143. Between January and July 2023, suicide came to the phone over 19 times a day. In the same period in 2019, this was only the case 13 times.

Although conversations with minors on the advice line account for only one percent, exchanges with this age group increased by 8 percent in the first seven months of 2023. As the Dargebotene Hand wrote, experience has shown that younger people are reluctant to make phone calls. The suffering behind each call can only be guessed.

The Dargebote Hand with telephone number 143 is one of the oldest suicide prevention organizations in Switzerland. She offers people in despair, worry and stress an open and empathetic ear.

As the organization announced, empathic competence and a willingness to talk about suicidal thoughts can make relevant contributions to suicide prevention. Talking can save. The organization advises that third parties in the area should speak out if the impression arises of a suicidal threat.

The Dargebote Hand has twelve regional offices with approximately 700 specialists. She offers compassionate conversations at a professional level. The offer is free, anonymous and available 24 hours a day. The organization finances itself 9 percent from own contributions, 28 percent from institutional contributions and 63 percent from donations. (rbu/sda)