Work-related suicide: Increased among Iranian workers and retirees

Letter to Editor

Authors

1 Ph.D, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Ph.D, Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.

3 M.D, Ph.D, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.84067.3185

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide, a critical global health and social issue, manifests with increasing frequency among economically vulnerable populations. So far, the most important factor in the issue of suicide is the medical, and especially psychiatric model, sociology and economics also have an important contribution to this issue. Factors such as low socioeconomic status and unemployment were identified as significant risk factors for suicidal behaviors. This study investigated work-related suicide in Iran, focusing on workers and retirees facing economic hardship.
 
Materials and Methods: We analyzed factors such as unemployment, job insecurity, and economic instability that contribute to suicidal behavior among these groups.
 
Results: Previous research indicates that economic pressures, coupled with inadequate mental health support, increase suicide risk. News from Iran reveals alarming trends, including a rise in suicides among dismissed and financially strained workers across multiple provinces, reflecting a broader socioeconomic crisis.
 
Conclusion: Findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies, including workplace modifications, mental health training for employees, and accessible financial support systems. Recommendations are offered for policymakers and health providers, emphasizing preventative measures that address economic and psychosocial stressors in workplace environments

Keywords

References

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Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 2
March and April 2025
Pages 139-142

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