Emile Durkheim, a nineteenth and early twentieth century sociologist, is considered the founder of the science of sociology. His book on suicide, published in 1897, still has a significant impact on the development of strategies to combat suicide, a bitter reality in human society. Durkheim’s research is considered the first reference model in the field of suicide sociology. He believed that when a social problem affects a large segment of the population, one must look beyond individuals and examine the structures and social, economic, and political patterns of society.

Sociology of suicide does not focus on why and how individuals commit suicide, but rather on why suicide rates vary in different societies and what factors such as religious beliefs, social status, and culture influence these rates. Durkheim shows how the power of these factors can have a significant impact on a very personal matter like suicide by examining the social, economic, and political conditions of society.

The gender gap in suicide, or what is referred to

Your suicide statistics at a global level.

The World Health Organization estimates that every 40 seconds, one person loses their life due to suicide. It is natural that every death is a great tragedy for friends and family, and the role of governments in preventing this and managing the reduction of suicide cases is crucial. Strategies for suicide prevention should be included in government programs and necessary budgets should be allocated for mental health care for individuals in society.

Alongside budget allocation and political will for suicide prevention, global community studies have shown that sustainable, continuous and comprehensive educational programs at a societal level and in schools can be one of the effective solutions. Additionally, educating individuals who are not medical professionals but can recognize early signs of suicide can be very effective. This includes training and education for teachers, social workers, and other individuals who have close contact with social groups, as part of preventive strategies.

Despite the encouragement and urging of the United Nations following the first detailed report by the World Health Organization on suicide in 2014, only 28 countries in the world

Gender and suicide

Since the mid-20th century, the role of gender has been studied as a factor in sociology of suicide. Social norms, taboos against openly discussing suicide, the lack of a national prevention program (which includes accurate statistics collection as one of its key components), and the overall negative stigma surrounding suicide are all contributing factors to the difficulty in addressing and reducing cases of female suicide. Many researchers have attempted to explain the gender gap in suicide rates. One commonly accepted belief is that structures of social discrimination, male dominance, and traditional notions of femininity all play a role in the paradox of gender and suicide.

Many researchers attribute the higher rates of male suicide to traditional societal roles of fatherhood and patriarchy. These traditional gender roles emphasize values such as power, independence, risk-taking behaviors (often framed as bravery), economic status, and individualism. The reinforcement of these values in defining masculinity and male gender roles can lead to men being less likely to seek help or support when struggling with suicidal thoughts

Iran

The suicide rate in Iran has been announced to be 6 per 100,000 people. It is clear that in a country where the economic gap between social classes is growing wider every day, where sexual and gender discrimination affects half of the population more than what men experience, and where poverty, unemployment, and discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, and social status harm the majority of the population, the actual suicide rate is higher than what is reported. Women’s suicide in Iran, especially in the southern and western provinces, can no longer be hidden even in state-run media. The gender paradox of suicide, where the concept is more associated with men but the intention and thoughts are more prevalent among women, does not exist in Iran, especially in some provinces with traditional and tribal backgrounds. In Ilam and Kermanshah provinces, the suicide rate among women is higher than men.

Most suicides in Iran occur between the ages of 18 and 30, but a report published on