Key Points

In 2021, Guadeloupe had the lowest proportion of emergency room visits for suicide attempts, the lowest rates of hospitalization for suicide attempts and suicide mortality in France. Despite the low numbers recorded, a trend toward worsening indicators related to suicidal behavior was observed during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period, as was the case nationally.

• Emergency department activity: a significant increase in the use of care for suicidal ideation was observed, particularly among young women under the age of 25 in 2021, with the trend intensifying in the first quarter of 2022. Regarding suicide attempts, no significant changes were observed by gender or age; women were more affected than men both before (2017–2019) and after the COVID-19 crisis (2020–2021).

• Hospitalizations for suicide attempts: Guadeloupe had the lowest rate in France during the pre-pandemic period (2017–2019) and the second-lowest rate in France during the pandemic period (2020–2021); unlike most other regions, hospitalization rates for suicide attempts differed little between men and women. As at the national level, these rates decreased between 2013 and 2019 (all genders combined). However, a change in the number of hospitalizations for suicide attempts was observed during the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, particularly among men. The method of suicide did not change; drug overdose remained the primary method of suicide, accounting for half of all suicide attempts between 2017 and 2021.

• Suicide mortality: was generally declining over the 2010–2017 period (latest consolidated data available); Guadeloupe had one of the lowest mortality rates in France, similar to the other overseas departments and regions (DROM). Suicide mortality was 4 to 5 times higher among men. Guadeloupe stood out for its low proportion of suicides among men over 80 and a low number of suicides among women. As in other regions, suicide by hanging was the most common method.