A total of 454 searches for missing persons were carried out by Missing People in 2020, significantly more than in previous years.
The same figure for 2019 was down to 287, and even lower in 2018. The sharp increase amounts to 58 percent, and the organization looks back on a hectic year.
Magnus Idebro, Chairman of the Board of Missing People, describes last year’s efforts as a record number.
– As far as I know, that’s how it is. That’s how bad it is, he tells Nyheter24.
“Direct consequence of restrictions”
What underlies the increase is difficult to ascertain, but Idebro has two corona-related theories:
– We carry out more search efforts internally now, where we do not call in the public. This means that the efforts are more in number, because we are fewer at a time who are out looking. And it is a direct consequence of the restrictions that exist, he says to Nyheter24.
It is also suspected that a society characterized by restrictions and prohibitions may affect those who are already feeling bad, more than others.
– Increased mental illness and people’s isolation as a direct result of the pandemic, is an explanation for the increase, Missing People writes in a press release on Wednesday.
Many are found alive
80 percent of the people wanted by Missing People are found alive, according to Idebro.
Were just as many well-preserved found in 2020?
– No, not really. We ended up just below 80 percent in 2020, but that is a marginal difference, Idebro tells Nyheter24.
What can be stated is that the number is relatively constant, despite the fact that the number of search efforts varies all the more.
An alarming number of young people disappear
Last year’s unfortunate high statistics have affected a certain age range extra much.
The increase in missing persons between the ages of 16-20 stands out, and is described by Idebro as worrying:
– It scares me a little, there are surprisingly many young people.
Here too, it is currently difficult to draw any conclusions about the cause of the increase.
– It may be because it has been distance learning for high school students, there has certainly been an isolation that played a role there as well, Idebro says to Nyheter24.
How To Help Missing People
Missing People are preparing for a new, potentially tough year.
And despite corona restrictions, there is still the opportunity for you as an individual to support the organization and their work.
– You can share our inquiries, it is a way to solve it remotely. But we naturally prioritize saving lives, and will continue to call on the public when needed, Idebro tells Nyheter24.
Read more: Now 17-year-old Mattias has been missing for a month
Read more: The missing Layla has been found – after four years
Here you can turn if you feel bad:
SOS Alarm in case of emergency or in case of thoughts of suicide call 112
Breeze – Children’s rights in society on telephone 116 111.
On-call fellow human being on telephone 08-702 16 80.
On-call priest reached via 112.
Mind The Suicide Line, chat via mind.se or on telephone 90101.
Suicidezero, facts and advice.
Source: nyheter24.se by nyheter24.se.
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