Vorarlberg suicide deaths remain high as Fritz rebuilds his life

Sixty people died by suicide in Vorarlberg in 2025, while many people in crisis still face long waiting lists for support, ORF reports. Crisis counselling is available by telephone, and self-help groups are offered by organisations such as Omnibus.

Fritz, who moderates one of the self-help groups, says he has found his way back to life after two suicide attempts. Looking out over the Old Rhine, he says he is now able to feel joy when experiencing nature. That was not always the case.

Fritz, who is now in his 50s, lives with depression and anxiety. As a young adult, he attempted to take his own life twice. He describes the period before and after the attempts as a complete rupture. “It is as if there were two lives,” he says.

A downward spiral

Fritz grew up in Lower Austria and describes his childhood as protected. He completed school and says he had no problems, including psychological ones, at that time. As a young adult, however, he repeatedly struggled to find a place where he felt he belonged.

He was under significant pressure in his private life, with his relationship, his partner’s children and a pet. He worked full time and was heavily involved in employee representation. Over time, he says, everything became too much. Alcohol also became a problem, with periods when he drank far too much.

Fritz says he gradually stopped taking care of himself physically. His weight rose to between 120 and 140 kilograms, he stopped exercising, went out less and eventually more or less confined himself to his home.

He then attempted to take his own life twice. He was admitted to hospital and later received psychiatric treatment.

Changing his life

“I completely turned my life around,” Fritz says. Before the attempts, he had already seen a psychiatrist and taken medication, but had done nothing else. In hindsight, he says, that was clearly not enough.

After the attempts, he began talk therapy and discovered the benefits of spending time in nature, including walking and hiking. He became more physically active and almost completely stopped drinking alcohol. He also ended relationships that were harmful to him and reduced the time he spent watching television or using a computer.

Fritz says people living with depression and anxiety can quickly become overwhelmed. He now tries to ensure that situations are manageable for him. He says he can no longer cope with a large concert attended by tens of thousands of people.

Many factors behind suicides

Vorarlberg recorded 49 male and 11 female suicide deaths in 2025. According to the latest Vorarlberg suicide report, most cases were linked to mental illness.

The report also identifies social changes as factors. National and international conflicts, rising prices and environmental issues can influence the collective mood. It describes the risk of social and emotional isolation as a likely decisive social risk factor.

Other possible factors include experiences of violence, exhaustion caused by multiple burdens, physical illnesses and chronic pain. Cultural influences, imitation effects caused by media reports about suicides and limited access to support services can also play a role.

Dozens of crisis calls each month

Raphael Latzer of the telephone counselling service says many people have lost their sense of security, with the recent heatwave adding to the strain. Around 60 calls received by the service each month are acutely crisis-related, he says, and about half involve suicidal thoughts or intentions.

The service offers anonymous conversations in which callers are listened to without judgement. Latzer says the aim is to help people move out of what he calls suicidal tunnel vision and find a small perspective again, including by considering who would miss them or what plans they still have.

Support services are available, but people seeking help often face long waiting lists. The telephone counselling service remains available to people in crisis.