A recent report highlighted alarming statistics on suicides and attempted suicides in Fiji, drawing attention to discrepancies in the data collected by the Fiji Police Force. The report emphasizes that these statistics failed to consider the varying base populations among different ethnic, regional, and age groups, making direct comparisons misleading.
In Fiji, the population of iTaukei is approximately double that of Indo-Fijians. Therefore, if suicide rates among these groups are compared without adjusting for their relative population sizes, the results can be skewed. The report calls for a more standardized method of comparison, such as the “suicides per 100,000 persons” metric used by international organizations like the World Health Organization.
The findings indicate a significant suicide crisis in the country, particularly affecting Indo-Fijians, especially older males. Although female Indo-Fijians and older iTaukei are also impacted, the crisis appears more pronounced within the Indo-Fijian community.
In recent weeks, the issue of suicide has gained attention, especially following World Suicide Prevention Day. Notable figures, including Fiji’s Minister of Health, have issued statements acknowledging the problem, along with social leaders who have highlighted various factors contributing to suicides and the economic and social costs associated with self-harm and violence.
The Fiji Police Force has made data available on suicides and attempted suicides for the first half of this year, broken down by ethnicity, division, gender, and age groups. Preliminary analysis of this data suggests a need for closer collaboration between health professionals, academic institutions, and the Fiji Police in understanding and addressing this public health crisis.
Fiji’s overall suicide rate, estimated at 9.6 per 100,000 from 2000 to 2019, appears lower than that of neighboring countries such as Australia and New Zealand. However, a deeper analysis reveals a concerning discrepancy between ethnic groups. The Indo-Fijian suicide rate stands at a staggering 28 per 100,000, placing the community among the highest in the world and nearly double that of India’s national average.
Conversely, the iTaukei suicide rate is significantly lower, at just 5 per 100,000. This disparity indicates that while suicide is a national issue, it is critically urgent within the Indo-Fijian community, necessitating tailored strategies for prevention and support.
The analysis of suicide rates by age group reveals that older Indo-Fijians, particularly those aged 54 and above, are disproportionately affected. For context, the estimated suicide rate for Indo-Fijian males in this age group is alarmingly high at 45 per 100,000. The data also suggests that older Indo-Fijian females experience increasing rates of suicide as they age, raising questions about the underlying causes.
The Fiji Police database has recorded some reasons for suicide and attempted suicides, indicating that personal relationships frequently contribute to these tragic outcomes. However, the data largely lists “unknown” explanations for many cases, highlighting a gap in understanding the factors leading to these incidents.
Additionally, analysis of the occupations of individuals who have attempted or completed suicide shows that a considerable portion are housewives or students, with further investigation needed to understand the associated challenges they face.
The report concludes with reflections on potential historical, demographic, and societal factors that may contribute to the heightened vulnerability of Indo-Fijians to suicide. It calls for community organizations and religious bodies to engage more actively in addressing this pressing social issue and suggests that external support and collaboration may be crucial in mitigating this crisis.