OSLO, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Norwegian government has begun work to update the action plan to bring down the country's persistently high suicide rates, the Ministry of Health and Care Services announced Wednesday.
"We need to strengthen and focus our efforts to reduce the high suicide rates. Behind every suicide there is a person, a destiny, a family, and a network. We take this very seriously," Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre stated.
Norway's suicide rate remains a pressing public health concern, particularly among men. According to figures from the University of Oslo, in 2023, Norway recorded 693 suicides, comprising 495 males and 198 females, the highest number since 1970. This corresponds to a national suicide rate of 14.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, including 20.1 per 100,000 men and 8.1 per 100,000 women.
The government emphasized that suicide prevention requires coordinated efforts both within and outside the health and care sectors. One focus of the updated action plan will be on the link between financial difficulties and suicide risk, which has not been sufficiently addressed in previous plans.
It will also adopt a stronger gender and diversity perspective. While more than 70 percent of suicide victims in Norway are men, women account for the majority of suicide attempts.
The government's "zero vision" - the goal of eliminating all suicides - is also reassessed. While supporters view the zero vision as a vital value-based principle, critics argue that it is unrealistic and places undue pressure on healthcare professionals.
The ministry is set to hold an input meeting later this autumn to gather feedback from stakeholders and experts. The current action plan will remain in effect until a more targeted strategy is presented next year. ■
