Suicides in Poland down by 2%. Suicidologist: We're starting to talk about mental health crises.
In the first half of 2025, the number of suicides in Poland decreased by 2%, reported suicidologist Dr. Halszka Witkowska. She believes this is a result of increasingly professional discussions about mental health crises and growing public awareness. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day.
" This is a result of us starting to talk about mental health crises professionally. We educate and inform, and journalists have done a tremendous job, " emphasizes Dr. Halszka Witkowska , co-author of the book "Restored to Life. Overcoming Suicide."
The expert highlighted the so-called Papageno effect. Responsible conversations about suicide, coupled with information about available help, encourage more people to seek support. An example is rapper Logic's song "1-800-273-8255," which led to a decrease in suicide attempts in the US.
The author admitted that the most difficult thing while working on the book was finding people who were willing to talk about their experiences.
" Many people are ashamed to speak up; they don't want to burden their families. Men especially – they remain silent, afraid of appearing 'unmanly,' " explains Witkowska.
The stories in the book are shocking: a boy fleeing from an abusive father, a girl told by her mother that "it's better if she's not here," a woman whose family was ashamed to call an ambulance after repeated attempts. Another character had to care for her seriously ill grandmother from childhood.
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" It's a bit like going to the gym – a child isn't ready to lift weights. It's similar psychologically. Without adult support, such experiences leave deep wounds ," explains the suicidologist.
The expert emphasizes that in order to help the youngest, we must first take care of the adults.
" How can a burned-out teacher or a devastated father notice that their child is in crisis? It's like coal: you can throw it into the stove as much as you want, but if the chimney is blocked, you'll fill the house with smoke. Parents are like that chimney—if they're in crisis, the child suffocates ," he says.
Witkowska points out that it's often the little things that save lives. It could be the presence of a dog that stopped its owner from taking her own life, a message from a long-lost friend, or a conversation at a crucial moment.
" This shows that people in crisis aren't cowards or weak. They're often people who have been strong for too long, whose surroundings have become accustomed to their strength. When they crack, no one notices, " the expert adds.
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