Psychotherapist and psychiatrist Vítor Cotovio warned that the number of suicides exceeds the impact of road accidents, expressing concern about the loss of the "community register" in society. This statement was made in an interview with ECCLESIA Agency, on September 10, date when World Suicide Prevention Day is observed, organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organization.
Vítor Cotovio, who is clinical director of Casa de Saúde do Telhal, an institution of the Brothers of Saint John of God, argued that it is necessary to ensure that people have "places of listening" and people available to listen to them in anguish and suffering. The psychotherapist stated that belonging, sharing, participation and prudence are fundamental to mental health, noting that human beings need to share stories to give meaning to life and to know they are not alone.
The article mentions that WHO counts more than 720,000 suicides annually worldwide, being the fourth leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29. Vítor Cotovio also expressed concern about young people who isolate themselves and turn to artificial intelligence to share their suffering, warning that "standardized" algorithmic responses can be dangerous when there are no significant figures such as parents or friends to accompany them.
The psychotherapist argued that the Health Pastoral and the Youth Pastoral have a fundamental role in creating community bonds, noting that the community dimension is essential "in any context" to prevent isolation and the risk of suicide. The interview was broadcast on the ECCLESIA Program on RTP Antena 1 and is available as a podcast.
