More than 20% increase in suicides in Lebanon in 2023 amid economic, political chaos

New data revealed by a mental service in Lebanon on Wednesday showed that the incidence of suicides increased by 21 per cent in 2023 as opposed to the year prior across the country.

The mental health service, Embrace, which provides mental health services and maintains a suicide help hotline in Lebanon, said that the increase in "suicide cannot be attributed to a single cause."

Embrace said the increase "underscores the urgent need to address mental health concerns and promote effective intervention to reduce the rise in these rates."

Incidence of suicide in 2023 increased almost to its peak this decade, which was in 2019 – coinciding with the start of Lebanon's economic and financial crisis.

The economic crisis has continued to this day, with the majority of Lebanese living in poverty and the state unable to provide basic services to its citizens.

Over 81 per cent of suicides in Lebanon in 2023 were men, and a little over 70 per cent of suicides were Lebanese, followed by 20 per cent being comprised of Syrians.

The ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon has compounded financial and economic stress. In a December survey across the Arab world, 97 per cent of respondents said they felt psychological stress as a result of the Gaza war, with 84 per cent reporting experiencing this to a great degree.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed over 30,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children.

Lebanon's cross-border clashes have grown in intensity since they began in the wake of Hamas's 7 October surprise attack, encompassing vast swathes of Lebanon.

Over 90,000 people have been displaced from southern Lebanon, and the spectre of war hangs over the country.