Economic crisis-related increased suicidality in Greece and Italy: a premature overinterpretation

Sir, Recently a paper suggested that the economic crisis was responsible for a dramatic increase in suicidal rates in Italy1 and the same authors insist that a similar phenomenon is happening in Greece.2 The relevant data are shown in table 1. However, interpretation can be made: 1. In Italy, the reported completed suicidal rates are almost identical with those of attempted suicide. This is highly unlikely and in contrast to the international literature. Registered suicide attempts are reported to be at least 5–10 times higher than completed suicide. …