Alarming issue of suicides and their indirect costs in Slovenia

Abstract

Abstract Background Suicides represent a major public health problem and a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Suicide is not a disease, but it can be the final result of various diseases and conditions, including various mental illnesses (depression, psychosis, etc.) as well as alcohol and drug addiction. High premature mortality due to suicide has social and economic consequences for society. The purpose of the present study was to analyze for the first time in Slovenia the partial indirect costs of suicide, on average, for the period from 2008 to 2019. Methods At the Slovenian National Institute of Public Health we analyzed the lost income from work due to suicide based on routine health data of the deceased, for the period from 2008 to 2019. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics of the University of Ljubljana. The National Transfer Accounts (NTA) methodology was used. The estimated economic costs of suicide were based on the calculation of indirect costs, which are related to lost productivity due to death. Results Partial indirect costs due to suicide amounted to EUR 8.2 million on average or around 0.2% of all healthcare expenditures, which amounts to 0.02% of gross domestic product in the studied period. Lost income from work due to death amounted to EUR 4.8 million, and unpaid household work lost due to death amounted to EUR 3.4 million, as an annual average for the period 2008-2019. Conclusions The range of indirect and direct costs, also from the point of view of various mental illnesses should be included in the calculation in the future, a list of selected illnesses prepared and the available resources and their limitations showed. By including additional economic costs, the burden of suicide would certainly be higher. Key messages • Suicide prevention must be the national priority in Slovenia. • By treating the diseases that can lead to suicide, the number of suicides and the direct and indirect costs could be partially lowered.