Boosting sense of value 'may help stop suicide'

IF A man has suicidal feelings, boosting his sense of being valued as an individual could help recovery, according to a report to be launched on Friday in Dublin.

The research underlying the report carried out one-to-one in-depth interviews with 17 young men in Ireland who had experienced suicidal feelings and who, in many cases, had attempted to take their own lives.

“The aim of the study was to try to get a better understanding of suicidality among young men so professionals could be better informed,” said Dr Evelyn Gordon, who carried out the research with Prof Chris Stevenson, both from Dublin City University’s School of Nursing.

Social isolation was a common feature of suicidality among the men, said Dr Gordon. “It wasn’t easy for them to disclose how they were feeling. They were able to keep people at a distance, to engage with them only superficially. Then it often only came to attention when they made a suicide attempt.”

While each man’s pattern of recovery was unique, there were some common trends and turning points, she noted.

The process first involved deciding between life and death – what Dr Gordon called a “crisis of destiny” – and then building up a greater sense of worthiness about their place in society.

Practices such as labelling, controlling, coercing and treating the young men as a problem rather than as people were flagged as unhelpful to recovery. The men had found it helpful if people acknowledged their suicidal desire and worked with them to resolve it.

“We all need to reflect on the practices that could potentially impede somebody being able to revitalise their worthiness if they are in that suicidal state,” said Dr Gordon.

“It’s not about avoiding the topic, it’s about avoiding the practices that are likely to invalidate the person.”

The findings of the study, which was funded by the Health Research Board, will be discussed at a free, public conference at the Helix in DCU on Friday.