In the Republic of Moldova, the suicide rate among men is higher than among women; The experts’ explanation
In the Republic of Moldova, the suicide rate among men is higher than among women; The experts’ explanation
Men in the Republic of Moldova turn to the specialty less when they face psycho-emotional difficulties, and for this reason, the rate of diagnosis and treatment is lower than in the case of women. In the context of World Mental Health Day, an event dedicated to men’s mental health took place at the “Ștefan cel Mare” Police Academy. Here, a psychologist spoke to future police officers about the causes of mental health problems, what symptoms can occur and what treatment methods are available.
In Moldova, the suicide rate among men is higher than among women. In 2021, 466 people from the Republic of Moldova died by suicide, over 80% being men.
According to psychologist Andrei Eșanu, men register lower levels of satisfaction with life.
“When faced with stress, a difficult situation, professional burnout, for example, or a mental breakdown, men have a greater tendency to externalize violent and antisocial behavior, a fact that distinguishes them from women in many cases. At the same time, the woman has a better ability to cope with stress. It would be good if we, the men, learn from the women how to do this”, said Andrei Eșanu, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and MENSANA national expert.
At the same time, experts say men are more likely than women to use unhealthy coping mechanisms when feeling unwell or worried, including drinking more alcohol, smoking more and taking drugs. Globally, alcohol or drug addiction is twice as common among men than among women.
“This post-Soviet woman thought, if you address this shame, you must prove that you are a man, you are not. Even in a couple, the husband does not reveal himself to the wife. He inhibits himself and eventually gets himself or “time bomb” which eventually explodes. Tragedies happen, we see murders, suicides and much more in families,” said Petru Iachimovschi, deputy head of section 3A of the “Ștefan cel Mare” Academy.
“It is very good when man can admit that he made a mistake, that he is not perfect and so on. We have to recognize all the negative or positive points that we have and then any man will overcome them all”, said Vladislav Galemba chief commissioner, deputy head of section no. 4 from the Academy “Ștefan cel Mare”.
Both men and women who are going through difficult times and need help can turn to the 40 Community Mental Health Centers, which are open in every district and municipality in the country. They provide psychiatric, psychological consultation, help in treatment and recovery of mental health problems for people of all ages.
The Network of Community Mental Health Centers was created and developed as part of the reform of mental health services. Starting from 2014, the reformation process is facilitated by the Moldovan-Swiss MENSANA – “Support for the reform of mental health services in Moldova”, according to the stability needs of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova.