Penza, 9 September 2014. PenzaNews. Men living in the Penza region are up to 6 times more likely to commit suicide than women, said the press service of the regional Ministry of Health.

The ministry added that almost 70% of cases involved the working-age people.

“Such conditions as depression, personality disorders, alcohol abuse and drug addiction are the most prominent causes of suicide. Suicide may be prevented by conducting early diagnosis of these mental disorders and beginning their treatment. It is also essential for the public to be aware of the available specialized services where they can get help. In the Penza region, work on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of depressed people is conducted in the Evgrafov Regional Psychiatric Hospital, which is based on in-patient care in the regional psychiatric ward, neuroses, in day care, depending on the case,” the ministry explained.

The press service added that the hospital also works with psychotherapeutic cabinets of city hospitals, as well as inter-regional hospitals in Kamenka, Kuznetsk and Serdobsk, to continue monitoring and treatment of patients.

“In the Penza region, just as in the whole of Russia, in the last 10 years there has been a continuous drop in suicide numbers: they dropped by 1.8 times. In 2004, the regional rate was 38.5 cases per 100 thousand people, while in 2013 — 21.3 cases, which is still 6% above the average level in the Russian Federation,” the Ministry of Health in the region informed.

The ministry representative added that the World Suicide Prevention Day will be commemorated on September 10.

“According to the World Health Organization, the total number of suicide cases in the world is approaching one million every year. According to the forecasts, by 2020 the number of suicide cases will increase by 1.5 times. Commemorating the World Suicide Prevention Day is intended to draw the attention of the authorities and the public to this problem,” the press service spokesperson stressed.