World Suicide Prevention Day: A Call To Action

In the UK, over 700,000 people take their own life each year – that’s one person every 40 seconds (World Health Organization) and 115 people die by suicide in the UK every week (ONS). World Suicide Prevention Day falls on Tuesday 10th September and here mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at how suicide death rates have been consistently dropping and what can be done to keep this the case.

As we become more open about the subject and greater mental health support has been put in place suicide dates have been decreasing. The UK has seen a greater drop amongst women with deaths halving since 1981 but with men only dropping by 20%. The gap between men and women has grown and it seems when suicide is decriminalised it reduces deaths from women more. Recently the downward trend in suicide deaths reversed* and it seems this may not have been simply due to the pandemic which is therefore very worrying.

Noel comments:
“The international research suggests fear of negative sanction from a suicide attempt leads to people choosing methods that are more fatal whereas positive responses based on health protocols reduces lethality. Though men still choose more lethal methods on the whole. The inquiry into the Jeremy Kyle suicide death has highlighted the issue in public consciousness again https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz075r18ekvo.It seems stretching credulity that putting someone in a situation where they face potentially public shaming and have a history of suicidal ideation and attempts would be helpful to them.”

We also currently have a ‘debate’ about trigger warnings in theatres etc, but what is being ignored here is that for some people a trigger has significant mental health consequences. For example a flashback in someone with a history of sexual trauma induced by an unannounced sexual violence scene in a play or film can easily lead to an attempt to self harm etc.

What the evidence tells us is that we can reduce death from suicide by having an evidence informed mental health and public health response, it tells us we need more targeted work with men and further it tells us that over the last few years we have taken our eyes of the ball on this issue.

What can you do to help?

Take the issue seriously but don’t let it scare you so much you can’t talk about it
If you think someone is at immediate risk, call the emergency services to look after them
Talking about suicide doesn’t induce suicide attempts, but quite the opposite. Suicidal ideation is usually temporary and talking to someone while they have the thoughts will allow them to get through the feelings and thoughts - it’s true also for thoughts of drinking if you are sober, self-harming etc
Engaging in a sympathetic human conversation while distressed is helpful
Be non-judgemental in your conversations with people who are struggling. It may appear they are bent out of shape for something small or unimportant to you but bear in mind you are not inside their head and didn’t experience the probably several hours or even days preceding which is the full iceberg or which you are only seeing the tip
Suicidal ideation is most often an expression of another mental health condition and is treatable…getting mental health support for that condition is crucial, medication, psychological therapy, behavioural therapy, social support, exercise all can be prescribed and will help
Stop using drink or drugs to manage anxiety, depression or trauma etc. Substance misuse although offering often temporary relief at times will in fact worsen the psychological problem and often create suicidal ideation as a consequence. Many people find their suicidal thoughts and feelings go when they stop abusing alcohol for example
As it is a mental health issue suicidal ideation can be helped by general lifestyle changes recommended for all people 1. Good sleep 2. Regular exercise 3. Good diet 4. Relaxation and stress management 5. Reduce harmful substances 6. Healthy relationships

Mental Health Help Available in the UK

In the UK we have very good national services available. See your GP if you are concerned about your own mental health or a loved one - your doctor can refer you to local support services and talking treatments. If you’re concerned about a friend or family member, they may benefit from a 1 on 1 consultation with a professional in this field to discuss your concerns and work towards creating a care programme.

The Samaritans have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this field and have a super helpful webpage of info on spotting suicidal behaviours and helping and can be found here https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/. Probably the most important tip is put the oxygen mask on yourself before you help others to put theirs on. Make sure you are talking to someone who supports you if you are talking and supporting someone. It is frightening to see someone in despair who says they want to kill themselves especially if it’s someone you love. Make sure you look after your own needs

Mental health expert Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years’ work within the health, social care, education, and criminal justice fields. His company Mental Health Works provides unique mental health services for the public and other organisations. Mental Health Works offers in situ health care and will source, identify and coordinate personalised teams to meet your needs – https://www.mentalhealthworks.net/