Efforts to prevent teen suicide in Greenland

Public health officials say they are prepared to launch initiatives to help Greenland reduce its suicide rate. 

The self-governing territory has a suicide rate of 108 per 100,000 residents, ten times higher than in Denmark, and one of the highest in the world.

The efforts will pay particular attention to preventing young people from taking their own lives.

Lawmakers in Greenland and academics involved with the programme said the figures have remained unchanged for years.

They expressed concern that the country’s “youngest were dying”, and said the plan would train professionals working with children to identify individuals who may be considering suicide. Greenland’s high rate of suicide among children stems from high rates of alcohol abuse among adults and sexual abuse. 

Kristeligt Dagblad

This story was included in The Copenhagen Post's Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 11If you would like to receive stories like these delivered to your inbox by 8am each weekday, sign up for our Morning Briefing newsletter today. 




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