The state of the British economy, including low incomes, job insecurity, zero-hours contracts, unmanageable debts and poor housing, is putting people at increased risk of suicide, according to a report by the Samaritans.
The report, Dying from Inequality, says there is “overwhelming evidence of a strong link between socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour”.
It says governments should place a stronger emphasis on suicide prevention as an inequality issue. It calls for national suicide prevention strategies to be targeted at the most vulnerable people and places, in order to reduce geographical inequalities in suicide.
Samaritans also calls on workplaces to put in place suicide preventions plans and provide better psychological support for employees experiencing job insecurity or affected by downsizing.
“Men in the lowest social class, living in the most deprived areas, are up to 10 times more at risk of suicide then those in the highest social class living in the most affluent areas,” the report says.
Recent research indicates middle-aged men are at higher suicide risk due to economic recession. Unemployed people are two to three times more likely to die by suicide than those with a job.
The least skilled occupations have higher rates of suicide, and a low level of educational attainment and no home ownership has been found to increase an individuals risk of suicide, the report says.
Suicide rates are two to three times higher in the most deprived neighbourhoods compared to the most affluent, and admissions to hospital after self-harm are two times higher.
Disadvantaged people are less likely to seek help for mental health problems and less likely to be referred by GPs to specialist mental health services after self-harm, the report says.
The Samaritans chief executive, Ruth Sutherland, said: “Living in poverty shouldn’t mean losing your life. Going through difficult times like losing your job or being in debt shouldn’t mean not wanting to live. But that is what’s happening in the UK and Ireland today. Suicide is killing the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people, devastating families and communities.”
Among the recommendations is better training of service staff in disadvantaged areas. “Government, public services, employers, service providers, communities, family and friends all have a role in making sure help is relevant and accessible when it matters most,” Sutherland said.
“Everyone can feel overwhelmed at times in their life. People at risk of suicide may have employers, or they may seek help at jobcentres or go to their GP. They may come into contact with national and local government agencies, perhaps on a daily basis. So, in the light of this report, we are asking key people and organisations from across society – for example, those working in housing, in businesses, medical staff, job centre managers – to all take action to make sure their service, their organisation, their community is doing all it can to promote mental health and prevent the tragedy of suicide.”
A government spokesman said: “Every death by suicide is a tragedy but we are taking action to make sure we reduce rates by 10 per cent by 2020. In January, we launched our updated suicide prevention plan – this sets out how local areas should do more to support those who are at higher risk of suicide. We know that financial insecurity can be a big factor and want to see more targeted, joined-up ways of reaching out to those in the most vulnerable circumstances.”