Academics in bid to cut suicide rate among men
ACADEMICS are to launch a study examining the suicide risk in men in a bid to find ways of reducing it.
Around three-quarters of the 728 people who took their own lives in Scotland last year were men, and suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 45.
Now the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) is funding a PhD scholarship at the University of Glasgow’s Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab to examine the issue.
It comes as other researchers claimed older role models speaking out about their mental health difficulties could be key to reducing suicide rates among men.
Over the next three years, academics at the university will investigate the clinical, psychological and social factors that increase suicide risk, including the challenges and expectations on men and what can be done to tackle the problem.
The research will be led by Professor Rory O’Connor, director of the research lab.
He said: ‘Despite the stark reality that suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50, we still do not fully understand the complex set of factors that account for this harrowing reality.
‘Suicide devastates families up and down the country every day – we need to do more to prevent these tragedies.’
Research funding of £75,000 will be provided over three years by SAMH, whose chief executive, Billy Watson, said: ‘We know men are particularly at risk, especially men in their middle-years. We need a deeper understanding of why some risk factors contribute to men completing suicide, compared with those, who, with the same risks factors, don’t.’
The study, thought to be the most in-depth of its kind in the UK, was welcomed by Scotland and Stoke City footballer Charlie Adam, who lost his father to suicide in 2012.
He said: ‘It’s great this research will look to understand suicide risk in men. It’s a subject close to my heart. It was a real blow to me losing my dad. It knocked me big time.’
Dundee University psychology researcher Charlotte Starkey said that while famous faces such as Prince Harry and actor Ryan Reynolds talking about their troubles was helpful, a vital contribution towards curbing the number of males taking their own lives could be made by older role models.
She said: ‘I’ve got a lot of respect for celebrities that admit to having mental health difficulties, but I would say that we’re not getting enough of them or the right demographic of men.
‘Most of those that do speak out tend to be from reality shows, young adult shows, and these people don’t connect with people of my father or grandfather’s generation. They’re not on Instagram and Snapchat, so we need more people in their thirties and forties speaking out – people that these men can relate to.’
As part of her research, Miss Starkey has spoken to patients at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital after they attempted suicide. She said: ‘There’s a massive issue with social isolation. I feel many people rely on social media too much. In some respects it can be good as it allows you to interact with people that you can’t see, but it also allows you to neglect connecting with people that you can.’
‘Do more to prevent these tragedies’