Barcelona will launch a shock plan to prevent suicide with 44 actions over the next two years that will include a risk map with the “hot spots” in public spaces where attempts are concentrated. The City Council’s plan is part of a new comprehensive strategy for the 2026-2032 period that aims to reduce both suicides, attempts, and death ideation. In Barcelona in 2024, 1,128 episodes of ideation and 860 suicide attempts were recorded, according to the report on suicidal behavior from the city’s Public Health Agency, which highlights that these behaviors increased from 2021, especially among young people due to the worsening of mental health caused by the pandemic. Deaths by suicide have remained stable and in 2023, the latest year for which data is available, there were 117 people. In 2025, suicide was the leading cause of premature death among men in the city.
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The current figures exceed those before the pandemic. The City Council’s Health Councilor, Marta Villanueva, highlighted this Wednesday at the press conference presenting the new policies that the aim is to improve early detection of risk situations and strengthen support for people who suffer.
With the goal of acting not only on deaths but also on ideations and attempts, the strategy begins its journey with an action plan until 2028 that incorporates as one of the main measures the creation of a map of “hot spots.” Once created, the measures that can be applied will be analyzed, such as the installation of physical barriers to prevent attempts or hinder suicidal behaviors or the signage of resources.
An example of a hot spot would be the initiative already underway to inform on metro platforms with posters about the resources available to help people who are thinking about taking their own lives, such as the suicide prevention phone line. “We have to break the taboo surrounding suicide. It is essential to end the stigma that hinders an effective approach to mental health-related issues,” Villanueva emphasized.
Among other actions, the creation of a network of safe and protective community spaces for the detection and support of people at risk and an intervention protocol in eviction cases stand out, as well as teacher training. Suicidal ideations and attempts are more frequent in women and young people, although completed suicides are mainly concentrated in men and older people.
The city’s 2016 Mental Health Plan already places prevention as one of its pillars and promoted initiatives in operation such as the prevention phone line, which has received 32,000 calls, and a support chat for young people, with more than 27,000 conversations managed. The new strategy was announced on the occasion of the celebration this Thursday, September 10, of World Suicide Prevention Day.
People with suicidal thoughts and their loved ones can seek help by calling 024, a Ministry of Health helpline, or the Barcelona suicide prevention phone line: 900 925 555.
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