Maltese men 11 times more likely to commit suicide than women

91.6% of suicide victims between 2009 and 2013 were male

The statistics are jarring. Men in Malta are 11 times more likely to commit suicide than women. Police figures show that 120 out of the 131 suicide victims (91.6%) between 2009 and 2013 were men. 

This is hardly a national phenomenon either. World Health Organisation statistics show that China is the only country in the world where women are more likely to commit suicide than men.

It also seems as though men are slightly more likely to self-harm than women. National hospital records show that 52.8% of the discharged patients diagnosed with intentional self-harm between 2010 and 2012 were male.

Why does this gender gap exist though?

“I think men might be more daring and they tend to be at a more decided place by the time they decide that they want to end their life,” psychotherapist Teresa Camilleri Rausi said.

“Women are more likely to suffer from depression. However, they might find it easier to talk about their problems and feelings than men,” Camilleri Rausi said. “Men might not find it easy to open up to family and friends or might feel ashamed to seek professional help.

“This is related to what society expects from gender roles. Men are brought up to act like men, to not show emotion and to ‘get over it’ if they are feeling depressed. They are expected to be strong and capable of facing and dealing with everything,” Camilleri Rausi said. “Men might deal with depression by self-medicating with alcohol and drugs. This can easily become a cycle, creating other problems.

“On the other hand, women are seen as softer and are ‘allowed’ to feel sad and to express emotion.”  

22 people committed suicide in Malta in 2013. Seven of them (31.8%) were 50-59 year olds, a larger percentage than any other age group. On the other hand, self-harm appears to be most common among 20-29 year olds with 26.7% of the patients diagnosed with intentional self-harm between 2010 and 2012 falling in that category.

Interestingly though, only 10.2% of self-harmers were 50-59 years olds. 

“It’s difficult to generalise what leads people to commit suicide,” Camilleri Rausi said. “Some could be battling with an illness, some could have lost their job. Loneliness. The idea of retiring might be too hard to face. Social changes could affect the family and the workplace. Loneliness. Some people commit suicide after hearing some very bad news. The first thing that would come to mind is ‘I can’t handle this’. At that point they cannot think of anything else. They are pulled down by their heavy feelings.”

On a brighter note, Malta’s average suicide rate is lower than the average in the 28 EU member states. However, while the average suicide rate in Europe points towards a downward trend, Malta’s has remained relatively stable over the past 20 years.

Crisis Resolution Malta helpline: 9933 9966