A discussion on rising youth suicide rates in Iran sparks concern among experts. A sociologist highlights the lack of open dialogue within families and the prevalence of child marriage, forced marriage, and poverty as major factors.
Alarming Increase in Youth Suicides: Statistics reveal a surge in suicide rates among children and adolescents.
As reported by Ham Mihan newspaper on March 6, Ardeshir Bahrami, speaking at a Children’s Rights Association event, reports a significant rise in suicides among individuals under 18. While the suicide rate in this age group accounted for only eight percent of total suicide deaths from 2007 to 2017, it surged to 10% by 2020.
Expert Points to Underlying Causes: Sociologist identifies lack of family communication, authoritarianism, and poverty as key contributors.
Bahrami underscored the presence of authoritarian and patriarchal family structures, particularly in marginalized communities, which often lead to a lack of communication and physical violence. He elaborated on how these structures can create spaces devoid of communication and fraught with violence. Additionally, he noted that immigration further weakens kinship structures, which serve as crucial support systems for children.
Forced Marriage and Tradition: Detrimental Impacts on Young Lives.
Bahrami also delved into the role of poverty, prejudice, reputation, honor, and tradition, emphasizing the detrimental effects of poverty and tradition when they culminate in child and forced marriages. He remarked that a child compelled into such unions due to tradition and poverty lacks affection and choice, inevitably leading to harm.
In 2021, over 32,000 marriages involving girls under 15 were recorded. Additionally, the Iranian Statistics Center’s 2022 report documented approximately 25,900 marriages and 1,392 births among mothers under 15.
Geographic Disparities and Social Media’s Influence: Hotspots identified, while social media trends raise concerns.
Bahrami identified Ilam, Lorestan, Kermanshah, and Khuzestan as primary suicide hotspots globally, attributing this to their geographic isolation, poor development indicators, and high rates of emigration, unemployment, and poverty. He highlighted an increase in suicides in various cities within Tehran province, such as Shahriar, Malard, Varamin, Qarchak, Qods, Chahar Dangeh, Robat Karim, Pishwa, and Pakdasht. For instance, Chahar Dangeh’s suicide rate stood at 16 per 100,000 people, while Ilam province reported 12 per 100,000.
In September 2023, Etemad newspaper published a report examining the proliferation of suicide-related content on social media and its correlation with political and social events. The report, citing big data, noted a doubling in searches for the term “suicide” in March 2023 compared to the latter half of 2022.
Official statistics from the regime’s police command reported a suicide death rate of 5.1 per 100,000 people. However, according to the social justice indicators report, over 40,000 suicide deaths were recorded over a decade.
