It is estimated that the number of suicide attempts is 20 times higher than committed suicides.

Although suicide rates have been traditionally highest among the elderly, suicide rates among young people have increased to such extent that they become the main risk group in one third of all countries. Suicide is the second cause of death among young people between 15 and 29 years of both sexes.

Mental disorders (particularly depression and abuse of psychoactive substances) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide. However, we must not forget that suicide is a complex phenomenon that is the result of different socio-cultural and personal factors, and that the risk of suicide increases during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis (eg. the loss of a loved one, a break of relationship, loss of job or assets, identity crisis, etc.).