The phone rings. On the other end of the line… silence. Minutes pass, someone in a shaky voice struggles to ask for help. Despair. Isolation. Anxiety. The three main reasons people call 1018, the Klimaka suicide prevention hotline in Greece.
Εvery story is different, but there is one common denominator: callers describe feeling overwhelmed, sad, hopeless and paralyzed by fear of how their loved ones will react if they find out the truth.
For some, reaching out is a lifeline—one final attempt to regain control before suicidal thoughts consume them. But there are those who never make this call, taking instead their own life in a moment of unbearable desperation.
Suicide Rate in Greece Among Lowest in EU
Last year, the number of reported suicides in Greece rose to 469, up from 451 in 2023, according to data released in February by the Klimaka-Center for Suicide Prevention, an Athens-based NGO founded in 2000.
Despite this increase, Greece continues to have one of the lowest suicide rates in the European Union—approximately five to six deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to the EU average of 11 to 12 per 100,000. According to Eurostat data for 2021, the number of suicides in the EU dropped by 13.3% (or 7,277 deaths) compared to 2011, the first year such data was recorded.
In 2021, Germany reported the highest suicide rate in the EU, with the lowest rates found in Cyprus (2.7 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants), Greece (4.2), and Italy (5.9). Greece’s North Aegean region was among the areas with the lowest suicide death rates that year.
However, mental health experts in Greece caution that the true scale of the problem may be significantly greater due to underreporting and insufficient tracking systems. They stress that while suicide remains a major public health concern, Greece has yet to implement a National Action Plan for Suicide Prevention, an EU requirement already adopted in many other European countries.
Additionally, Greece lacks a system to document suicide attempts that lead to hospitalization, further obscuring the actual extent of the issue. Experts argue that without accurate data and a structured prevention strategy, addressing the root causes of suicide remains a challenge.
‘You Can Overcome Alone’
“The notion that ‘you have to get over it on your own’ is deeply rooted in our society,” explains Kiriakos Katsadoros, Psychiatrist and Scientific Director at Klimaka.
Katsadoros, who is also President of Telepsychiatry at the Hellenic Psychiatric Association and represents Greece at the International Association for Suicide Prevention (ISAP), highlights several barriers that prevent people from seeking help when they find themselves considering suicide.
“A major factor in Greece is the social stigma associated with mental health and suicide. Many people fear that opening up about their struggles will lead to judgment from their family, social circle, or workplace. This in turn often results in isolation and reluctance to seek professional support,” Katsadoros tells To Vima International Edition.
Another significant issue, he adds, is the widespread lack of information and awareness about suicide and mental health. Many individuals simply don’t know where to turn for help—or worry that the support available won’t be sufficient.
Urgent Need for National Suicide Prevention Plan
Suicide is not an inherent trait but rather the result of multiple contributing factors. Unemployment, financial insecurity, and social isolation can significantly impact mental health, though they do not directly cause an increase in suicide rates.
Stressful situations, however, can act as aggravating factors. Suicide, like most psychiatric disorders, manifests when an individual’s ability to cope with stress is overwhelmed. This is particularly evident during extreme circumstances, such as economic crises or the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In times of crisis, stressors activate genetic vulnerabilities, bringing chronic conditions or pre-existing dysfunctions to the surface. This, in turn, increases the prevalence of various chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune conditions,” explains Katsadoros.
Although Covid did not lead to a rise in suicide rates in Greece, Katsadoros notes that the pandemic resulted in a 20% increase in calls to the Klimaka 1018 crisis hotline.
Changing the Stigma and Understanding Mental Health
Why don’t people seek help? Individuals with a predisposition to mental health disorders may find themselves in a state of mental exhaustion. Depression and hopelessness usually diminished their ability to reach out. They often believe that “nothing will change” and this sense of despair creates a vicious cycle, preventing them from seeking support—even from those closest to them.
Beyond personal struggles, systemic barriers further hinder access to mental health care. These include inadequate psychiatric infrastructure, the failure to integrate mental health services into primary care, and a shortage of specialists, particularly in remote areas. These structural deficiencies become significant obstacles for those in need, explains Katsadoros.
“Addressing these problems requires a comprehensive approach. We must combat stigma, educate society, strengthen psychiatric services, and improve access to mental health support for all.”
In Greece, suicide rates have fluctuated over the years, with the highest numbers recorded in 2022 (600 deaths), 2018 (567) and 2014 (565). The number dropped in 2023 to 460. Katsadoros explains however that this does not represent a steady decline. Suicide, he explains, is a “multifactorial phenomenon” influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.
Key Findings of the Klimaka Report
- For every suicide in Greece, an estimated 20 to 30 attempts are unsuccessful.
- In terms of gender, men account for the majority of suicides (78-86%), compared to 14% for women. Although women attempt suicide more frequently, men tend to use more lethal methods. The highest suicide rates among males are in the 50-59 and 60-64 age groups, while the most vulnerable group among females is 35-39.
- The highest suicide rates were recorded among individuals aged 50-54 and 20-24, while 9.6% of cases involved people over 80.
- Vulnerable groups, including residents in refugee camps, military and police personnel, hospital patients, and prisoners, showed higher suicide rates.
- Common methods of suicide included: hanging (29%), self-inflicted gunshot (25.8%), and jumping from a height (24.3%).
- Geographically, the highest suicide rates in Greece were recorded in Crete (17%), Attica (16%), Thessaly, and the Peloponnese.
Crete has consistently reported high suicide rates. Katsadoros attributes this to local traditions, social pressure, easy access to weapons (a cultural norm), and increased alcohol consumption. Similar trends are observed in other rural areas of Greece due to cultural and societal influences.
- The months with the highest recorded suicides in 2024 were June (46), April (45), September (39), and February (32).
Self-harm Among Young People on the Rise
The report also reveals a troubling trend among young people, with 12%-16% of those aged 14 to 19 engaging in self-harm—an indicator of increased suicide risk later in life.
This alarming statistic together with the lack of reporting of suicide incidents are top concerns for Katsadoros. He tells To Vima International Edition that approximately 15-20% of suicides are never reported, particularly in rural areas where social stigma is greater. These incidents are in most cases reported as accidents.
In urban centers, rising stress, social isolation, and mounting pressures contribute to the growing number of incidents. Additionally, “easy access” to means of suicide, such as bridges and public transport, exacerbates the problem.
The Klimaka Suicide Hotline
The 1018 hotline is Greece’s only official 24-hour suicide prevention line, operated by Klimaka, the country’s sole specialized suicide prevention center. Operating 24/7, the hotline provides immediate support to individuals in crisis under the supervision of the Greek Health Ministry. In addition to seeking personal guidance, many callers also reach out for advice on how to support a loved one at risk.
Klimaka’s mission is to offer a safe and non-judgmental space where callers can freely express their emotions and receive guidance and support. A team of specially trained professionals provides immediate psychological and psychiatric assistance, assesses the level of risk, and helps individuals identify alternative solutions. If needed, callers are referred to specialized mental health services or immediate intervention is arranged.
Next Steps
Despite existing efforts, much more needs to be done. “Prevention and mental health awareness in Greece have not been developed with the necessary scientific and strategic planning. While there are mental health programs, systematic research, evaluation, and measurable interventions are lacking. Greek governments have occasionally promoted initiatives, but these efforts are often fragmented, lacking continuity and a clear understanding of the population’s real needs,” says Katsadoros.
As a first step, Klimaka, in collaboration with Laiko Hospital in Athens, is developing a Suicide Prevention Protocol aimed at improving the early detection and management of suicide risk in public hospitals.
Of utmost importance is the development of a coherent National Suicide Prevention Strategy. This, explains Katsadoros, should include mandatory mental health education in schools and workplaces to reduce stigma and strengthen prevention efforts; a reliable national system for recording suicides and attempts, ensuring accurate data collection and enabling targeted, evidence-based interventions; and integrating mental health services into primary care.
Signs Someone May Be At Risk:
- Talking about wanting to die or harm themselves.
- Searching for ways to end their life or buying weapons.
- Expressing hopelessness or feeling trapped.
- Using alcohol or drugs more frequently.
- Acting distressed, reckless, or agitated.
- Sleeping too much or too little.
- Withdrawing from others.
- Showing rage or seeking revenge.
- Exhibiting mood swings.
- Giving away belongings or saying goodbye to family and friends.
* If you or anyone you know needs support, reach out to the Klimaka Suicide Intervention Line – 1018. A counselor is available to speak to you 24/7.
