The Discourse of Suicide among Ethiopian Immigrants in Israel

Abstract

The goals of this article were (a) to assess suicide rates among Ethiopian immigrants and compare these rates to other groups – Former Soviet Union immigrants, Israeli-born Jews, and others; (b) report on the current suicide medical research; (c) report on the literature dealing with the occurrence of suicides in Ethiopia and other immigrant societies; and (d) suggest explanations for the phenomenon of high rates of suicide among Ethiopian men in particular. Data from the Ministry of Health were analyzed in order to document the prevalence of suicide among the three study groups. Key informants from among the Ethiopian community and the providers of health services offered observations and interpretations for the occurrence of suicide and recommended prevention strategies. Key informants attributed the prevalence of suicides to the deterioration in men’s status versus the growing support of government (and public agencies) for women’s independence, loss of parental authority, declining clout of traditional mediators, Ethiopian ‘culture of silence’, and difficulties using Israeli mental health services. Sociocultural- economic disadvantages, as well as family and communal disorganization, seem to be the most inducing factors for suicide among Ethiopian newcomers. Prevention strategies among Ethiopians should be culturally sensitive, taking into consideration the rapid social changes that have occurred following immigration.