How Handwritten Letters Could Impact Suicide Rates
It can be difficult to address the challenges presented by suicide prevention as suicide itself is such a massively complex issue and one that is unique to the individual. Although help can be delivered when people are at particular points of crisis, it can be harder to ensure their protection in the days and weeks […]
World Suicide Prevention Day: September 10th
This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is fast approaching, taking place each year on September 10th, providing the opportunity for people, businesses and organisations of all kinds to raise awareness of both suicide and suicide prevention. The theme this year is Creating Hope Through Action, highlighting efforts that are being taken around the world on […]
Study Highlights Need For Multidisciplinary Approach In Suicide Postvention
A new study conducted by the University of Manchester, in collaboration with Support After Suicide Partnership has highlighted the need for a multidisciplinary approach in suicide postvention and proactive outreach to support those bereaved. While it is acknowledged that those bereaved by suicide are at a high risk of adverse health outcomes and suicidal behaviours […]
What Is The Werther Effect?
A well-documented phenomenon around the world, the Werther Effect refers to the identified rise in sucide rates following well-publicised reports of deaths by suicide of celebrities or other well-known figures in the media. The term was coined following the publication of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, which tells the story […]
New Therapy Treatment Trial To Prevent Prisoner Suicide
A new study is being launched in the UK to study the effects of cognitive behavioural suicide prevention therapy within prisons, as part of a collaboration between the University of Manchester, the University of York, King’s College London and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. In prisons across England and Wales, suicide is the […]
Spotlight Shone On Seafarers & Suicide
A new report into mental health and seafarer suicide in the maritime industry has found that despite evidence showing that the issue is a serious one, there has never been an agreed international framework for recording suicides at sea, which has resulted in many believing that suicides remain underreported. Conducted by the Department for Transport […]
Link Made Between Severe Health Conditions & Suicide
The latest release from the Office for National Statistics relating to the 2011 Census and Hospital Episode Statistics has revealed that suicide rates among those diagnosed with severe health conditions elevated. The health conditions covered by the statistics are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, low survival cancer and chronic ischemic heart conditions. These illnesses were selected […]
Upward Trend Identified In Suicidal Thoughts Among LGBTQ+ Youth
An upward trend in suicidal thoughts among LGBTQ+ youth in the US has been identified in this year’s Trevor Project National Survey, including almost 34,000 participants aged between 13 and 24. It was found that almost 45 per cent of those asked said they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the last 12 months. Almost […]
New Study To Identify Support For Armed Forces Suicide Bereavement
A new study is being conducted by Suicide Bereavement UK and SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity, to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of relatives, friends and colleagues of Armed Forces personnel, who have been bereaved by suicide, building on and learning from what is already in place in a civilian and Armed Forces […]
Call Issued For ‘Overhaul’ Of Suicide Assessments
A father has issued a call for an “urgent overhaul” of suicide assessments and risk factors after his son went on to die by suicide after being judged as low risk by a psychotherapist. Philip Pirie asserted that his son Tom’s assessment had been based on inadequate questionnaires, documentation that is still being used despite […]
SBUK Consultant Angela Samata On Suicidal Behaviour Transmission
Angela Samata, lived experience advisor, trainer and creative consultant with Suicide Bereavement UK (SBUK), was recently invited by peer-reviewed general medical journal The Lancet to discuss the topic of suicidal behaviour transmission. Writing for the publication, Ms Samata cited a study carried out by Anne Ranning et al that explored the relationship between parental suicidal […]
Suicide Bereavement UK International Conference: 22nd September 2022
The eleventh Suicide Bereavement UK International Conference is set to be held on September 22nd at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, with this year’s event focusing on Reflecting on Progress. The one-day conference, a collaboration with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, is suitable for all those who come into contact with anyone bereaved […]
Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Youth ‘Could Cut Suicide Risks’
Trans youth who receive gender-affirming treatment could see a reduction in depression risk and in suicidal thoughts, according to a new study just published by researchers from the University of Washington. The study tracked the mental health of 104 transgender and non-binary people aged between 13 and 20 over the course of 12 months. During […]
Study Claims Ketamine Can Ease Suicidal Thoughts
Class B drug ketamine could be a potential treatment option for those suffering from severe suicidal thoughts, according to a new study carried out by the University of Montpellier revealing that the substance appeared to be effective at alleviating dark thoughts. The four-year study involved 156 people who had been admitted to hospital for mental […]
Online Safety Bill ‘Won’t Protect Adults From Suicide Dangers’
Suicide prevention charity Samaritans has issued a warning that the draft online safety bill, which is currently being considered by the Joint Select Committee, will not protect those who are at greater risk of suicide unless a loophole is closed. Chief executive Julie Bentley observed that the current proposals are not yet fit for purpose […]
Link Made Between Undiagnosed Autism & Suicide
A new study from the University of Nottingham and the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge has revealed a link between undiagnosed autism and death by suicide, demonstrating the need for earlier diagnosis and tailored support for suicide prevention. Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the research involved analysis of 372 inquest […]
NCISH Publishes Annual Suicide Report 2021
The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH) has just published its annual suicide report for 2021, with findings relating to those who died by suicide between 2008 and 2018. Data analysis has found that there are key issues regarding patient safety in some groups that have been most affected by […]
Charities Warn Of Suicide Risk In Asylum-Seeking Children
Leading child and migrant rights organisations around the UK have issued a warning that asylum-seeking children arriving in the country on their own are at risk of self-harm and death by suicide, with the risks being exacerbated by failures on the part of the Home Office to reach decisions regarding their asylum claims. In a […]
