In 2022, 1024 people died by suicide in Flanders, including 706 men and 318 women. These figures are probably an underestimate, given that in that year there were 478 deaths whose intention was difficult to determine. Recent data also show a slight increase in girls and women (Department of Health Care, 2024). Certain groups within our society are often underrepresented in scientific research, including individuals with an immigrant background. In Flanders, 1 in 4 residents are of foreign origin, of which 6 in 10 are from countries outside the EU (Department of Health Care, 2024) but to what extent these individuals are part of the number of people who died as a result of suicide is unclear. 

Previous scientific research has shown large cultural differences in suicide behavior. Persons of Turkish, Moroccan and Italian origin show less suicidal behavior than persons of Belgian origin but suicide rates are higher among second-generation ethnic minorities than the first generation (Bauwelinck, 2016). 

Current forms of therapy and prevention methodologies based on Western models are not always effective for people from non-Western backgrounds due to cultural differences and different conceptualizations of illness and health (Bhugra et al., 2014; Rathod et al., 2018; Norcross & Wampold, 2018). Aiming for suicide prevention across cultural, racial, ideological, gender, and age boundaries is critical. 

In the first year, the outline is drawn to set up a study on the epidemiology and etiology of suicidal behavior in persons with an ethnic background. Given that in Flanders (Belgium) no epidemiological data is available on the prevalence of suicidal behavior within this target group, the first phase of the project aims to set up a study to map this. This will allow more answers to the question of whether persons with an ethnic background have an increased risk of suicidal behavior and thus constitute a risk group for which specific prevention strategies should be developed. In addition, the research methodology for mapping the causes, risk and protective factors will be developed so that more scientific knowledge is available to specifically identify culturally sensitive needs.