Research finds risk of suicide and mental illness increases during recession

The economic recession of 2008 – 2013 was
followed by increases in rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and mental
illness, a
PolicyBristol report (PDF) from a team led by academics at the University of Bristol has found.

Funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and in
collaboration with colleagues from the Universities of Manchester and Oxford,
the researchers from the School of Social and Community Medicine used national
mortality statistics, inquest reports of people dying by suicide and interviews
with people affected by the recession, including 19 who had made suicide
attempts, to understand the ways in which the recession affected mental health
and suicide.

David Gunnell, professor of epidemiology at the University of Bristol said:
“Prior to the recession, rates of suicide in the UK were declining. Around the
time of the recession, this decline reversed, and similar patterns were seen in
other European countries and in North America. The greatest rise in the
incidence of suicide appeared to be in young men.

“The consequences of recession on individuals – unemployment, the risk of
losing a home, or financial difficulties caused by debt, wage cuts, demotions,
reduced hours or disputes over benefits – are all likely to be important
contributors to the rises.”

Other research has explored impact of the recession on mental health, and has
found the most vulnerable to problems such as job losses or debt are those with
pre-existing mental health problems or past psychiatric illnesses. The Bristol
researchers found many individuals who die by suicide in the context of
employment or financial difficulties were not in contact with mental health
services or their GP.

Professor Gunnell added: “These findings have a range of policy implications.
It’s important that in times of high unemployment appropriate investment is
made in labour market programmes to support young people who are entering the
labour market for the first time. Similarly, ensuring the provision of adequate
welfare benefits could mitigate the impact of future recessions on suicide
risk.

“It’s also vitally important that staff who come into contact with vulnerable
individuals whose mental health is affected by economic difficulties are
trained to recognise and respond to risk, and are properly informed about the
places to steer people affected towards for appropriate help. Those agencies
and organisations that provide advice services, such as the CAB and debt advice
centres, must themselves be funded properly.”

The research team now plan to pilot an intervention to reduce risk in people
who are vulnerable as a result of financial problems, unemployment or problems
accessing benefits.

Samaritans is available
round the clock, every single day of the year, to listen and offer confidential
support to anyone who is struggling to cope. People can contact Samaritans by
phone, free of charge, on: 116123, via email:
[email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of a local branch.