Research can change the world.
Research can change the world.
This Research Appreciation Day (5th July), we spoke to Dr Susan Rasmussen, reader in Psychology at the University of Strathclyde, who worked with us on our recent 'Paid Yesterday, Broke Today' report.
Dr Rasmussen’s career to date has been dedicated to research that helps to inform suicide prevention. Her work looks at how self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours begin, why they might be repeated, and how we can reduce these and the number of people dying by suicide in Scotland.
“Suicide is complex. There is unfortunately still much that we do not know. It’s vital that we do research to understand the processes that might lead a person to feel suicidal in the first instance, and then for some, to act on those thoughts. We also need research evidence to tell us whether our suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention efforts are working.”
“The most crucial and rewarding part of working on the ‘Paid Yesterday, Broke Today’ project was working alongside those with lived and living experience."
Dr Susan Rasmussen
Our ‘Paid Yesterday, Broke Today’ research aimed to understand the experiences of people living in Scotland facing financial difficulties, in relation to mental health and suicidal ideation.
Participants in the research shared their experiences of feeling the pressure of insufficient pay and poverty, of the stigma placed on them when reaching out for financial support, and of the sense of being trapped in debt. For our research participants taking part, these experiences contributed to suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Dr Rasmussen highlighted that throughout the research process, it was fundamental that the views of those with lived and living experience were central to the research and its recommendations:
“The most crucial and rewarding part of working on the ‘Paid Yesterday, Broke Today’ project was working alongside those with lived and living experience to ensure their experiences were at the heart of the research and its recommendations. It’s fundamental that the research reflects the real-world challenges of individuals that have experienced employment and financial instability.
“As a researcher, it’s exciting to be part of Samaritans Scotland’s work. Through our research and working together, we can make a positive difference to the lives of others. Through research, we can change the world.”
Dr Susan Rasmussen
“As a researcher, it’s exciting to be part of Samaritans Scotland’s work. Through our research and working together, we can make a positive difference to the lives of others. Through research, we can change the world.”
The 'Paid Yesterday, Broke Today' report has been shared with MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, with organisations like Scottish Trades Union Congress and ANDYSMANCLUB, and covered by local and national media.
Through research, we can reshape the world we live in and hope to create a better reality for others.