The tragedy of becoming tired of living: Youth and young adults' suicide in Greenland and Denmark.

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a tremendous public health issue and worldwide the second leading cause of death among young people. In 2015, Greenland had the highest burden of disease due to self-harm with loss of 2,952.97 disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 inhabitants, more than six times as many as Denmark.

AIMS

What are possible reasons for Greenland's higher youth suicide rate compared to Denmark, despite being one kingdom of Denmark?

METHOD

Mixed methods in the form of qualitative, semi-structured interviews, the analysis of available data for 2003-2016 and a literature review were conducted with the aim to answer this question.

RESULTS

Several exposures cause this difference, most significantly adverse effects of the colonial past, such as social issues and experienced traumas in Greenland compared to its former coloniser Denmark.

CONCLUSION

The ongoing burden of youth suicide in Greenland requires enhanced actions of all stakeholders involved in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.