A new study from the University of Birmingham has found that 41 per cent of parents carers of disabled children have contemplated suicide, building on previous research showing that this demographic experiences high rates of social isolation, financial distress, relationship dissolution and both physical and mental illnesses.
This latest piece of research – published in the Archives of Suicide Research journal – was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research in partnership with parent carers, finding that one in 12 said they’d had suicidal thoughts. However, just half of those experiencing suicide ideation had told anyone or sought out support.
Currently, carers are not recognised by the national mental health and suicide prevention strategy as a priority group and suicide risk is not considered in the national carer strategy.
Furthermore, despite the fact that the Care Act 2014 gives all carers in England the right to have their needs assessed, these assessments don’t consider suicide risk, with many carers never receiving an assessment in the first instance.
Lead author of the study Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer commented on the findings, saying: “Parent carers love their kids and want the best for them, but they often feel trapped in the caring role.
“While other people’s kids become increasingly independent as they grow up, parents of disabled or seriously ill children know they’ll have to provide essential care for the rest of their lives.
“And when you combine this with the impacts of austerity, a crumbling health system, and systemic failures in social care, it’s not surprising that parent carers become overwhelmed by the caring role and see suicide as the only way out.”
Are you considering suicide prevention training? Suicide Bereavement UK delivers evidence-based theory driven courses informed by research and provided by experts in their field.
For further information, contact:
Paul Higham
Suicide Bereavement UK
Tel: 01706 827359
Mobile: 07850 710555
Email: paul.higham@suicidebereavementuk.com