The Zivotna Linija (Life Line) suicide prevention association announced on Thursday that they would mark World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September by lighting 566 candles in downtown Zagreb for each Croatian who had committed suicide in 2020.

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on 10 September to raise awareness of the growing problem of suicide, head of Life Line, Tin Pongrac, said, noting that close to one million people commit suicide globally every year.

Last year, 566 people committed suicide in Croatia, including 117 women and 449 men.

In the 15-25 age group, there were 44 suicides, which is an increase of 57 percent from 2019. Overall, the largest number of suicides were committed by people over 65, as many as 225, which is nearly 40 percent of all suicides committed in 2020.

The largest number of suicides was reported by the Zagreb County Police Department, 120, followed by the Split-Dalmatia County Police Department, with 45 suicides.

Life Line is a voluntary association working on raising awareness about the need for stronger suicide prevention and providing support to suicidal and depressed persons.