The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) published its annual report on the condition of human rights in Morocco for the year 2022, which highlighted that the number of suicide cases had reached 1,000 that year.
“The number of suicides in Morocco exceeds 1,000 cases annually, at a rate of more than three cases per day,” according to the report.
The region of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima has the biggest share of suicide deaths, according to the report, “the specialists attribute this to a deteriorating psychological state linked to factors in which the health and social overlap with the economic”.
Morocco “is required to reconsider the mental health system.” According to the World Health Organization, “there is no difference between physical health and mental health.”
Roughly half of the world’s population will suffer from a mental health issue in their lifetime, according to a review of data from more than 150,000 adults in 29 different nations.
50% of people will have had at least one mental health issue by the time they reach the age of 75, with mood disorders like sadness and anxiety being the most common.
For men and women, respectively, the average age of onset for mental health issues is 19. Alarmingly, mental health problems frequently become apparent for the first time in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.
“The reasons behind these suicides vary, and cannot be listed precisely.” Suicide can occur in people of all ages and genders, including juveniles and young children.
Marginalization and unemployment are also causes of the alarmingly high suicide rate.
Additionally, the spread of drug addiction, poverty, and isolation contribute to the spread of frustration and anxious feelings among the younger portions of the local population.
There are 7.2 suicides per 100,000 people in Morocco, which is a high rate when compared to the other Arab nations, according to the World Bank.
The percentage of Moroccans who encounter psychological or mental disorders at some point is about 42.1%; 26% of them are depressed, and the remaining percentage has anxiety disorders, mental illnesses, and schizophrenia.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights was able to keep track of 140 suicide incidents in 2022: Tangier-Tetouan region Al Hoceima recorded 67 cases (48%), Beni Mellal Khenifra 14 cases (10%), Casablanca-Settat 7 cases (5%), Souss-Massa 18 cases (13%), Marrakech-Safi 12 cases (9%), Fez-Meknes 9 cases (6%), East 7 cases (5%), Rabat-Kenitra 2 cases (1.4%), Guelmim Oued Noun 2 cases (1.4%), Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra 1 case (0.7%), and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab 1 case (0.7%).