Suicide constitutes one of the major public health problems worldwide. The aim of this study is to examine the possible correlation of suicide rates in Greece with some social indices during the financial crisis.

Our study includes all suicide rates recorded in Greece during the time period 2001-2011 (EL.STAT). We assessed the standardized suicide rates (number of suicide cases per 100.000 inhabitants, SSR). We obtained data from EL.STAT. regarding the following social indices: unemployment, population at-risk-of poverty or social exclusion and material deprivation.

During the period 2001-2011 a total number of 4.133 cases of suicide were recorded. Male suicides were 3.424 (82.8%) and female suicides were 710 (17.2%). The mean SSR for the period study (2001–2011) was 3.37±0.37/100.000 inhabitants. The mean male SSR was 5.64±0.64/100.000 and the mean female SSR was 1.15±0.22/100.000. Our analysis has clearly demonstrated a positive correlation between unemployment and total SSR (r=0.64, p=0.03), as well as between unemployment and male SSR (r=0.68, p=0.02) for the period 2001-2011. During the period of economic crisis (2008-2011) an even positive correlation between unemployment and male SSR was observed (r=0.96, p=0.03). Yet, during the period of economic crisis a positive correlation between population at risk of poverty or social exclusion and total SSR (r=0.96, p=0.03) as well as between material deprivation and male SSR (r=0.99, p=0.01) was revealed.

The results of this study show that the effect of economic crisis and recession in Greece on social parameters is evident.

The financial crisis that began in 2008 affecting many European countries and mainly Greece has an ongoing impact on public mental health and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of the financial crisis on criminality verifying differences in crime rates between the years 2008 and 2011 in Greece.

Data on crime in Greece for 2008 and 2011 were provided by the Crime Analysis Section of the Public Security Department of the Hellenic Police Headquarters. In order to create a comprehensive global index of criminality we calculated an overall crime rate including the following crimes committed: homicides, financial crimes (fraud, extortion), drug-related crimes, illegal weapon possession, sex-related crimes (rape, sexual exploitation), thefts/ burglaries and robberies. The overall and the aforementioned specific crude crime rates were calculated per 100,000 residents. Paired samples t-test was used to examine the differences in the rates between 2008 and 2011.

A significant increase in the overall crime rate between 2008 and 2011 (t=5.01, p=0.001) was found. Moreover, between 2008 and 2011 there was significant increase in the crude rates of homicide (t=2.41, p=0.03), fraud (t=7.35, p=0.001), extortion (t=3.22, p=0.009), illegal weapon possession (t=5.27, p=0.001), theft/burglary (t=4.62, p=0.001) and robbery (t=3.23, p=0.007). There were not statistical differences in the crude rates of sex-related and drug-related crime.

According to the results of this study criminality in Greece shows significant increase during the current financial crisis as reflected in many crime indicators.

Since 2008 Greece has entered a long period of economic crisis with adverse effects on various aspects of daily life. In this frame it is quite important to examine the suicide trends in Greece during the period 1992-2012 with particular consideration given in the recent period of economic crisis [2008-2011].

Population data and crude data on suicides were obtained from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT.). We assessed the Age-adjusted Standardized Suicide Rates (SSR). Age-adjustment was performed by the direct standardization method, using the European Standard Population (ESP). Trends in sex SSR were analyzed using joinpoint regression, in which trend data are characterized by a number of contiguous linear segments and join points (points at which trends change).

During the study period, 8025 cases of suicide occurred. Total SSR presented statistically significant annual decrease of 0.89% (95% CI -1.7, -0.1), during the period 1992-2009. After 2009 the trend in SSR increased statistically significantly (annual increase 12.48%, 95% CI 0.3%, 26.1%). SSR in males presented an initial period of modest annual decrease (-0.84%, 95% CI -1.6%, -0,1%), during the period 1992-2008. Joinpoint regression analysis revealed a change in male SSR trend during 2008, after which the average annual increase was 9.25% (95% CI 2.7% – 16,3%). No change in female SSR trend was observed during the studied period.

Data indicate a clear evidence of an increase of the overall suicide rates and male suicide rates in Greece during the period of the current financial crisis.