By Goda Malinauskaitė, LRT TV, LRT.lt.
After decades of decline, suicides in Lithuania have risen slightly over the past two years, with older adults particularly affected, according to the Hygiene Institute. Last year, 566 people died by suicide, up from 562 the previous year, and 527 in 2022.
Suicide rates in Lithuania remain among the highest in the European Union, nearly double the EU average, at 19.6 per 100,000 residents in both 2023 and 2024.
“Statistics show that suicides have declined in all age groups over the last few decades, but the decrease has been slowest in the 65+ age group,” said Paulius Skruibis, director of Vilnius University’s Suicidology Research Centre. “This group now has the highest relative number of suicides.”
Volunteers with Sidabrinė Linija (Silver Line), a senior support line, connect with about 8,000 older adults, offering companionship and emotional support. Coordinator Ieva Čerbulėnienė said many call simply to form a human connection, often because they live alone, have limited mobility, or have lost family members or friends.
More than half of older people have felt lonely at least once, she said. “If a person loses their job due to age, develops an illness, or loses loved ones, it can trigger feelings of despair and uncertainty about life.” She added that many older adults choose to endure their pain silently, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.
Read more: LRT.LT
