Public Health France 2017 Barometer: Suicide Attempts and Suicidal Thoughts Among Adults Aged 18–75

Introduction: France has one of the highest suicide rates in Europe. This observation has led public authorities to reintegrate suicide prevention into a comprehensive strategy for promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders, and to set quantifiable targets for reducing the number of suicides and suicide attempts. The objective of this study is to present an update on the prevalence of suicidal behavior in metropolitan France in 2017, to identify the affected populations, and to observe trends since 2000. Methods: In 2017, the Santé publique France Barometer surveyed 25,319 people aged 18 to 75 using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) based on a random sample. The variables of interest in the study were suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months, as well as suicide attempts during one’s lifetime and in the past 12 months. Results: In 2017, 4.7% of 18- to 75-year-olds reported having thought about suicide in the past 12 months, 7.2% had attempted suicide at some point in their lives, and 0.39% had attempted suicide in the past year. Tracking these indicators over time does not reveal a clear trend in suicidal behavior since the 2000s. Being female, experiencing financial difficulties, being single, divorced, or widowed, being economically inactive, and experiencing traumatic events are associated with suicidal behavior. The factor most strongly associated with suicidal thoughts is having experienced a major depressive episode during the year (ORa=8.3 for men and 6.6 for women). Discussion: Our results confirm the value of implementing a suicide prevention policy targeted at high-risk individuals and intervening before a suicide crisis occurs, with a focus on early identification and management of situations involving psychological distress. They also advocate for multidisciplinary and intersectoral care (health, social, and medical-social), particularly for vulnerable populations.

Author(s): Léon Christophe, Chan-Chee Christine, du Roscoät Enguerrand

Publishing year: 2019

Pages: 38-47

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2019, n° 3-4, p. 38-47

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey