Nadine Dougall
Trigger warning – content refers to suicide and risk factors relating to suicidal thoughts.
World Suicide Prevention Day is hosted on 10th September every year. During this same week, the number of deaths by suicide in 2022 was published by the National Records of Scotland. This latest data showed that deaths were very slightly up at 762, with females increased by 18 and males decreased by nine on the previous year. As part of the Academic Advisory Group to Scottish Government, I provided some analysis and commentary to this data release.
Working with suicide data can be a humbling and emotional experience. As someone personally affected by suicide, it is an all too powerful reminder that behind every number was a person and research has estimated that up to 135 people are deeply affected by each death.
Despite the very small increase in overall deaths in 2022, suicide remains a massive concern and much more needs to be done. This is especially the case in our communities of highest deprivation, where the suicide rate is about three times greater than areas of least deprivation. Our national suicide prevention strategy ‘Creating Hope Together’ aims to bring down numbers of suicide and tackle deprivation to reduce inequalities between our communities.
However, suicide is everyone’s business, and we all have a part to play. One in five in the UK have suicidal thoughts during their lifetime. That means we likely know someone at work, home or in our friendship groups who is having, or will have, suicidal thoughts. Perhaps you have experienced such thoughts, but don’t realise how common it is.
Having suicidal thoughts does not necessarily mean we have poor mental health, but instead may be a natural reaction to distressing problems and situations. Usually there is no single reason that may lead us to think about suicide but rather a range of reasons or factors, which all contribute to how we may be feeling.
Many of us will experience significant issues that are known risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviours, including unemployment, work or money problems, relationship breakdowns, conflict, violence, experiencing disability or pain, life-changing events, significant childhood adversity and abuse, living alone or isolated, and using significant amounts of drugs and/or alcohol.
We also know from research that these risk factors may be offset by a range of beneficial experiences in childhood and adulthood, such as having a supportive and trusted adult around during childhood or being in a positive relationship as an adult.
What leads any of us to having suicidal thoughts is complex. One model of suicide (the ‘IMV Model’) recognises that biology, psychology, environment and culture all play a part in this complexity. Crucially, the IMV Model seeks to understand what causes the development of suicidal thoughts, and what are the factors that increase the chance of suicidal behaviour. It also identifies that a sense of defeat, feeling a burden to others, or feeling trapped can all lead to the (often rapid) development of suicidal thoughts.
The IMV Model acknowledges common pathways to suicidal thoughts and behaviours but also identifies potential areas for prevention and intervention. To create more hope around suicide, we need to make it easier to tell others and share our thoughts. In turn, this will likely have the effect of making us feel better, not to mention playing a small part in reducing stigma. This is part of the national suicide prevention strategy.
National suicide prevention programmes such as ‘Creating Hope Together’ no longer focus on individual risk factors as they have poorly predicted suicide in the past. Instead, they focus on broader ways of improving general population well-being, addressing causes and reducing stigma of poor mental health, and improving service response to support people with problems.
It is with the greatest of hope that ‘Creating Hope Together’ can achieve an impact and we see reduced numbers of suicide and reducing inequality over the coming years.
Every suicide is preventable, and our lives are valuable. For many of us, life may be overwhelming at times, and we may feel trapped in situations with no easy solutions. However, there is always hope even if things do not feel hopeful.
If you need help please do not hesitate to contact:
Breathing Space is Scotland’s mental health helpline for individuals experiencing symptoms of low mood, depression, or anxiety, and offers free and confidential advice for individuals over the age of 16. They can be contacted on 0800 83 85 87, 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday; and from 6pm Friday throughout the weekend to 6am Monday.
Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. You can contact Samaritans free by phoning 116 123 or via email on jo@samaritans.org
Telephone advice and support on healthcare can be obtained from NHS24 by phoning 111; the Mental Health Hub is open 24/7.
Acknowledgements:
With grateful thanks to Jan Savinc, and his expertise in R syntax to provide summary statistics and interpretations from the national suicide data release.
Dedication:
In memory of my nephew Connel Arthur, forever 21.
Nadine Dougall is Professor of Mental Health and Data Science at Edinburgh Napier University.