Download document: Insights from experience: economic disadvantage, suicide and self-harm (full report)
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Our 2023 report shares insights from experience on the topic of economic disadvantage, suicide and self-harm
With our partners in the Suicide Prevention Consortium, we have been exploring the relationship between economic disadvantage, suicide risk and self-harm in people’s own words.
We heard about experiences of economic disadvantage and how they relate to suicide, self-harm and bereavement by suicide. People told us about what they have found helpful, including a sense of community belonging, as well as changes they would like to see. Together with people with lived experience we developed recommendations that focus on creating a more human and person-centered whole system approach. We also heard of a need for a system that is more aware of mental health issues and the economic challenges people face.
Read more in our report: Insights from experience: economic disadvantage, suicide and self-harm
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People living in the most disadvantaged communities face the highest risk of dying by suicide. We worked with leading academics to understand why.
Our report, Dying from Inequality, showed that financial instability and poverty can increase suicide risk. Suicide is a major inequality issue.
We found that income and unmanageable debt, unemployment, poor housing conditions, and other socioeconomic factors all contribute to high suicide rates.
Tackling inequality should be central to suicide prevention and support should be targeted to the poorest groups who are likely to need it most.
We can all play a part in preventing suicide and reducing inequality, but governments must take the lead by:
Read more in our report Dying from Inequality.
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