Calls to Lebanon’s suicide hotline grows due to impact of financial crisis

Calls to Lebanon’s suicide hotline grows due to impact of financial crisis

National Lifeline in Lebanon (1564) for Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention has noted an alarming increase in the phone calls it receives daily.

While in 2019, the hotline received an average of five calls per day, this number has grown to 25 calls each day in 2021. In addition to responding to more daily calls, the volunteers working on the lifeline also need to handle more health-intensive calls.

“We have never seen so many imminent calls [a person calling and sharing alarming signs of a suicide attempt or who has already started the process of ending their life]. It is unheard of because people cannot cope correctly and don’t have access to basic human needs. They suffer from a lot of sadness and anger,” said Ramanos, a clinical psychologist and lifeline supervisor from The non-governmental organization (NGO) Embrace, which provides mental health services in the country.

“In the long run, the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness is too strong, and people see death as the only relieving solution. This country has lost its dreams and hopes, which is very dangerous,” she added.

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It is not surprising that the Institute for Development,