Latvia’s suicide stigma keeps people from seeking help

Suicide rates in Latvia remain above the average for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries despite falling by about 11% in recent years, LSM’s 4. studija reported. Experts say stigma discourages people from discussing their problems and seeking help.

There is no single reason why people decide to end their lives. Experts link suicidal behaviour to prolonged loneliness, financial difficulties, addictions and delays in seeking help. The belief that people must be strong can further discourage them, particularly men, who account for 80% of suicides in Latvia.

“We face stigma and prejudice,” said Karīna Maskaļonoka, a representative of the Skalbes association. Clients often tell the organisation that they should deal with their problems themselves or that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Some also say they are ashamed to tell relatives or friends because they fear being judged.

Data compiled by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control show that 239 people died by suicide in Latvia in 2025, compared with 250 in 2024. The figures also show that more people die by suicide in Latvia each year than in road traffic accidents. In 2024 and 2025, the number was approximately twice as high as the number of people killed in road tragedies.

Suicide is not an unavoidable tragedy, the report said. One way society can help create a more emotionally healthy Latvia is by showing empathy towards people who need support.

People should not dismiss or judge someone’s experience, punish them, lecture them, make fun of what happened or compare their problems with someone else’s situation, Maskaļonoka said. Instead, they should listen and ask simple questions such as, “How are you feeling?” or “What happened today?” She added that people do not need to be psychologists to ask such questions.