Tweet
Rate of suicides has ‘doubled’ in Greece
The past few months have seen a sharp rise in the number of people taking their own lives, according to a nongovernmental organization that runs a helpline for those considering suicide.
According to Aris Violatzis of the NGO Klimaka, the number of suicides “have doubled if not tripled” over the past year. Violatzis said the rate had increased to more than two suicides per day this year, as compared to one per day in 2009. And these are just the suicides that are recorded, Violatzis said, adding that the real number was likely to be higher as the stigma attached to suicide means they are often not reported.
Klimaka, which operates the 1018 telephone helpline, said it was receiving around 25 calls a day, compared to an average of 10 per day last year. Asked whether the spike in suicides was linked to the financial crisis, Violatzis said he believed it was a contributing factor. “Suicide is a multifaceted phenomenon – we cannot link it exclusively to the crisis,” he said, noting however that the environment influences our actions. As for the profile of most victims, Klimaka said they are chiefly “productive people with responsibilities, financial obligations, families, loans.” According to Violatzis, many of the victims are “men who are no longer earning enough money to provide for their families and feel they no longer have a role to play – people who are going through an identity crisis.” There are also many who take their lives due to deep-seated psychological problems or depression, he added.
In a related development, the refusal of the bishop of Kozani to allow a local woman who committed suicide to be buried by the village priest, in accordance with Orthodox tradition, has provoked anger and debate. The woman, who had reportedly been depressed since her son’s death earlier this year, drowned last Friday after jumping into Polyfytos Lake. The parish priest from her village refused to lead a procession of mourners transferring her body from her home to the local cemetery but conducted a service over her grave after the funeral.
There are two things i wish to mention here.
1) I have no doubt the financial crisis has much to play part in this increase of the suicide rate. There is a Macedonian saying "chojek od magare moze na kojn da se kachi. ama nemozi od kojn do magare da slezi." well it goes something like that.
You see, this is the situation with the Greeks. They were use to a certain life style. Then came along the formation of EU together with the euro. Life style had to change. It sounded good at the time. Along came inflation, lies and corruption now that this mighty euro is circulated. The rich got richer while the poor did it even tougher than before.
Many were riding donkeys before the Euro was introduced then all of the sudden, they started driving Merc's. Life style has changed for these newly Merc drivers and there's no looking back. Now that this financial crisis has hit hard, the spoiled Greeks can not afford the Mercedes anymore and now have to revert to a donkey again. Oh the humiliation, of riding a donkey again. Questions are asked, "how do you use a shovel" in order to dig and grow there own vegies again to survive. Reality hit that they have to work till a later age like the rest of the world does, in order to receive a pension, and thats if they have any jobs available. 30% unemployed in the Lerin region was the cry back in 05 (would be worse now ofcourse)
There is another Macedonian saying, "koga kje kopash nov bunar, nemoj da plukash na stariot"
But those that kept there donkeys, do not find it as tough. They will survive due to their honest work and self dependence. These spoiled Greeks use to laugh and mock the Macedonians over the border, mainly due to ROM not being a EU member, therefor (in there warped mind) we somehow had a primitive culture (we lacked major signs of economic development or modernity). Now they come over to shop, relax, dine, bye fuel, use our facilities. Oh the shame, and how painful it must be for them to realise and admit ROM are better off.
2) finally, i want to briefly mention the rules of the Greek church. I will admit that the Macedonian Orthodox church has the same tradition where a deceased who commited suicide, can not be buried by the priest, or the coffin enter the church. This is shameful and it would be very disturbing to the rest of the family. I am against this tradition and it must change. Suicide is a sin, i understand that. But they must refuse everyone that has sinned and in that case, no one should be buried by a priest.
The past few months have seen a sharp rise in the number of people taking their own lives, according to a nongovernmental organization that runs a helpline for those considering suicide.
According to Aris Violatzis of the NGO Klimaka, the number of suicides “have doubled if not tripled” over the past year. Violatzis said the rate had increased to more than two suicides per day this year, as compared to one per day in 2009. And these are just the suicides that are recorded, Violatzis said, adding that the real number was likely to be higher as the stigma attached to suicide means they are often not reported.
Klimaka, which operates the 1018 telephone helpline, said it was receiving around 25 calls a day, compared to an average of 10 per day last year. Asked whether the spike in suicides was linked to the financial crisis, Violatzis said he believed it was a contributing factor. “Suicide is a multifaceted phenomenon – we cannot link it exclusively to the crisis,” he said, noting however that the environment influences our actions. As for the profile of most victims, Klimaka said they are chiefly “productive people with responsibilities, financial obligations, families, loans.” According to Violatzis, many of the victims are “men who are no longer earning enough money to provide for their families and feel they no longer have a role to play – people who are going through an identity crisis.” There are also many who take their lives due to deep-seated psychological problems or depression, he added.
In a related development, the refusal of the bishop of Kozani to allow a local woman who committed suicide to be buried by the village priest, in accordance with Orthodox tradition, has provoked anger and debate. The woman, who had reportedly been depressed since her son’s death earlier this year, drowned last Friday after jumping into Polyfytos Lake. The parish priest from her village refused to lead a procession of mourners transferring her body from her home to the local cemetery but conducted a service over her grave after the funeral.
There are two things i wish to mention here.
1) I have no doubt the financial crisis has much to play part in this increase of the suicide rate. There is a Macedonian saying "chojek od magare moze na kojn da se kachi. ama nemozi od kojn do magare da slezi." well it goes something like that.
You see, this is the situation with the Greeks. They were use to a certain life style. Then came along the formation of EU together with the euro. Life style had to change. It sounded good at the time. Along came inflation, lies and corruption now that this mighty euro is circulated. The rich got richer while the poor did it even tougher than before.
Many were riding donkeys before the Euro was introduced then all of the sudden, they started driving Merc's. Life style has changed for these newly Merc drivers and there's no looking back. Now that this financial crisis has hit hard, the spoiled Greeks can not afford the Mercedes anymore and now have to revert to a donkey again. Oh the humiliation, of riding a donkey again. Questions are asked, "how do you use a shovel" in order to dig and grow there own vegies again to survive. Reality hit that they have to work till a later age like the rest of the world does, in order to receive a pension, and thats if they have any jobs available. 30% unemployed in the Lerin region was the cry back in 05 (would be worse now ofcourse)
There is another Macedonian saying, "koga kje kopash nov bunar, nemoj da plukash na stariot"
But those that kept there donkeys, do not find it as tough. They will survive due to their honest work and self dependence. These spoiled Greeks use to laugh and mock the Macedonians over the border, mainly due to ROM not being a EU member, therefor (in there warped mind) we somehow had a primitive culture (we lacked major signs of economic development or modernity). Now they come over to shop, relax, dine, bye fuel, use our facilities. Oh the shame, and how painful it must be for them to realise and admit ROM are better off.
2) finally, i want to briefly mention the rules of the Greek church. I will admit that the Macedonian Orthodox church has the same tradition where a deceased who commited suicide, can not be buried by the priest, or the coffin enter the church. This is shameful and it would be very disturbing to the rest of the family. I am against this tradition and it must change. Suicide is a sin, i understand that. But they must refuse everyone that has sinned and in that case, no one should be buried by a priest.
Comment