Three suicides every day

A “How are you?” can save lives

Suicide is the second most common cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds after accidents (symbolic image)

(Bild: © fizkes - stock.adobe.com)

Every year, more people in Austria die by suicide than in traffic accidents, with a particularly high number in spring. Talking openly about the subject can save lives, because "nobody gets the idea," says Silvia Breitwieser, head of the Upper Austrian telephone counseling service.

"As a doctor, I see the effects of crises on people's lives every day and know how important early intervention is," says Katharina Glück, Head of Psychiatry at Wels-Grieskirchen Hospital. In order to make low-threshold help services more visible, the state of Upper Austria is using posters with emergency telephone numbers.

(Bild: Supra)

These are primarily to be displayed at the train stations in Linz and Wels, as they are considered suicide hotspots due to their proximity to the psychiatric clinics. Station staff there are also to be trained to recognize those at risk and prevent suicides.

Experience from Switzerland shows that this measure works. After such posters were put up, more people contacted the crisis hotlines there. Warning signs of suicidal crises are withdrawal from social life or an increasing lack of hope and joy.

If you or someone close to you is in an exceptional psychological situation, please contact the telephone helpline on 142. You can find other crisis hotlines and emergency numbers here.