Alert in Costa Rica: more than 2,100 suicide attempts in adolescents

Mental health in Costa Rica: Concern over increase in suicide attempts

Costa Rica is facing a critical public health challenge after reporting 2,123 suicide attempts during the current year, according to figures collected up to epidemiological week 32 of 2026. This record represents a national rate of 40.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, highlighting a problem that requires immediate and multisectoral attention.

Gender gap and adolescent vulnerability

The analysis by the Health Surveillance Directorate highlights a marked gender disparity, where women account for 64% of reported cases, with 1,366 incidents compared to the 757 recorded in men. Special attention should be paid to adolescent groups between 10 and 19 years of age, who show the highest incidence rates, particularly in the female population.

• Women (10-14 years old): 179.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
• Women (15-19 years old): 161 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
• Men (10-14 years old): 45.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
• Men (15-19 years old): 68.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Territorial distribution and risk factors

At the provincial level, Heredia leads the list with a rate of 53 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Limón and Puntarenas. Although San José concentrates the highest absolute number of reports with 634 cases, authorities explain that this is due to the high population density and greater access to health services, which facilitate the detection and registration of events.

The Ministry of Health warns that the phenomenon is multifactorial. Factors such as economic precariousness, unemployment, social isolation, and the lack of support networks are critical determinants that influence the regional variations observed in the country.

2024 Year-End Review: A look at social impact

The report integrates data from the year 2024, a period in which 397 deaths by suicide were confirmed. In this segment, the trend is reversed with respect to attempts, with men accounting for 80.3% of fatalities. The age group most affected was between 20 and 39 years old, with a significant incidence among people who are unemployed or in informal occupations.

Suicide is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon that must be addressed by going beyond the traditional clinical view, integrating actions of education, social protection, and the strengthening of community networks for its effective prevention.

Towards a comprehensive prevention strategy

Health authorities emphasize that suicide is a preventable cause of death. Since the implementation of mandatory surveillance in 2012, the country has managed to identify that a history of a previous attempt significantly increases the risk of recurrence, which underscores the importance of timely institutional support.

Aloftoke Sports maintains its commitment to reporting on mental health issues, reminding of the importance of seeking professional help and fostering supportive environments for the most vulnerable sectors of the population.