Will we see increased suicide rates post-Covid recession?
Historically, increased suicide rates have been observed following a recession. Dr Adrian James, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2020 said: “Recessions are terrible news for the nation’s mental health. Debt, unemployment and poverty are linked to higher rates of anxiety disorders, alcohol use, depression, and even suicide.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) stated that the economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic “will have significant consequences for people’s health outcomes in the short and longer term.” However, it’s not known yet whether the COVID-19 pandemic will affect suicide rates.
Past recessions and increased suicide rate
A study by The British Medical Journal (BMJ) 2012 study concluded “that the recent recession in the UK led to about 1000 excess suicides in England: 846 among men and 155 among women.” You can read more about risks of suicide in men here.
Again in 2014, we saw the BMJ‘s startling headline “Economic recession may have caused 10 000 extra suicides.” It read that the 2008/2010 increased rates of suicide were “highly likely to be related to the recent economic recession.”
The Guardian, 2015 wrote “Austerity is a factor in rising suicide rate among UK men.” Academics from the universities of Bristol, Manchester and Oxford estimate an extra 1,000 deaths and an additional 30-40,000 suicide attempts may have occurred after the economic downturn.
While the report shows a correlation between economic turmoil and increased suicide rates, it can’t prove a causal relationship, the researchers note. It can’t prove that the people who lost their jobs or homes were the ones who died by suicide.
Can we predict and prepare for increased suicide rates
Yes, research shows that the best predictor of future behaviour or risk is past behaviour. People with previous suicide attempts are more at risk of completing the act. So now we know this, we can prepare for it, prevent it even, right?
Yes, it’s possible. While the ‘powers that be’ discuss and implement policies and procedures at the top end, we can all take action to prevent suicide. Talking about suicide and staying connected with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help.
Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, there are things you can do to help save a life.
That said, a fellow-blogger commented on my post Who is responsible for suicide prevention “No one can stop someone who is determined. My father committed suicide in 1992, I tried for months to get thru to him, he was to far gone.” I can’t begin to imagine what that felt like but I undertstand now that it might not always be possible to prevent a suicide.
If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you might play a role in suicide prevention. Please see follow up post on Warning signs
Over to you
How do you feel about people who chose to die by suicide? Do you think suicide is selfish, something I wrote about a while ago? Would you feel comfortable asking “Are you having suicidal thoughts?”
I’ve had to ask my sons in the past, and the response was devastating, despite all my knowledge and nurse training. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so I look forward to any comments or questions, and constructive criticism.