Causes of Rising Male Suicide Rates

Introduction

The study aims to evaluate the various causes and reasons for the high rates of male suicide occurrences reported within the UK over the recent years. According to BBC.ONS (2017) up to 6000 suicides are reported in the UK each year and men make up three quarters of this number. Further the source outlines that suicide is the biggest killer of men up to the age of 49 years within the UK. While the number of women who commit suicide has remained relatively constant in the last decade, the number of men involved in suicide has significantly increased over the same period to more than double its figures in 2007. This research aims to uncover the various causes and reasons for the increase in these numbers overtime as well as establishing the link between the suicide and mental health complications. In so doing, the research shall also be able to uncover the role of mental health professionals in the prevention of suicide and alienation of the reasons and causes that lead to the occurrence of suicidal tendencies and acts especially among the male within the UK.

Literature Review

Out of the 6000 suicides reported in the UK every year, men below the age of 49 years account for three quarters of this number (BBC.ONS, 2017). This is not only a concern due to the lack of dignity in suicide related deaths but also because suicides have become the leading course of male deaths in the UK over the past decade and as such warrants intervention. While the Suicide rates have been declining since 1981, the past decade, majorly representing the period between 2007 to 2013 has recorded the highest rise in the rate of suicide especially with special bias to men within the UK. This rapid fluctuation has led to the increase in deaths caused by suicide which warrants the research to the reasons of male suicide within the UK.

Although women are much more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to succeed in their attempts due to the methods they choose to commit the act. McManus et al. (2016) outlines that about a fifth of adults report to having had suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives with higher rates coming from women than men. Mental Health Foundation (2016) further highlights that one in fifteen adults within UK have made a suicidal attempt at one point on their life. This was also found to be higher in women (8%) than in men (5.4%) highlighting one of the major reasons the statistics point to a higher number in men than women. Suffocation, strangulation and hanging are among the common methods used by men in committing suicide annd as highlighted by ONS (2018) the percentage of male hangings has shown an upward trend from 2001 to 2017.

Among the reasons highlighted by Wyllie et al. (2012) for the high rates of suicide among men as compared to women include: employment status, the state of relationship with loved ones as well as social expectations about men and masculinity that exert undue pressure to men within the society.

Employment Status

Employment enables self support of a man as well as their dependents. Lack of employment or a job induces a feeling of worthlessness within the society which is more often than not associated with suicidal tendencies. McManus et al. (2016) highlight that employment status of individuals is associated to suicidal thoughts, attempts and self harm in adults between the age of 16 and 64 years. This is more prominent with the male species and high rates are reported among those who have no tangible occupation and are therefore economically inactive. Men who work as carers, low skilled manual worker and in the arts industry are more susceptible to suicidal thoughts and tendencies as compared to individuals in the corporate worlds of professionalism.

Relationship with loved ones

According to Wyllie et al (2016), in 2015 divorced men were three times likely to commit suicide than men who were married or in civil partnerships. This highlight the importance of maintenance of a good relationship with ones loved ones. Inadequate relationships with family members, spouses and other civil partners’ most likely lead to the feeling of constant loneliness and lack of value which are synonymous to suicidal thoughts. This coupled with high societal expectations for men within the society highlight undue pressures and no means of relieving them due to the lack of a psychological support system. As a result most men with defined relationships for psychological support are more likely to commit suicide than their counterparts who have developed relationships (McManus et al., 2016).

Mental Health Issues

According to the National confidential Inquiry into Homicide by people with mental illnesses (University of Manchester, 2015), 18,220 suicides were reported between 2003 and 2013 by people who had mental health service contacts. This highlight mental illness as another lead cause of high suicide rates and as such in its curbing mental health professionals have a crucial role to play.

Aim

The overall aim of the study is to evaluate the causes of high male suicide rates within the UK as well as the role of mental health professionals in preventing increased suicide occurrences among males.

Research objectives

To evaluate the causes of high suicide rates among males in the UK

To establish the relationship between mental illnesses and high suicide rates among males in the UK

To evaluate the role of mental health professionals in prevention of male suicide

Questions

What are the causes of high suicide rates among males in the UK?

What is the relationship between mental illnesses and High suicide rates among males in the UK?

What is the role of mental health professionals in the prevention of male suicide?

Research Methodology

The population to be studied includes members of my team Integrated Delivery Team (IDT) who include professional such as Psychiatrists, Psychologists, support workers, social workers, and mental health nurses and peer support workers. Who come into contact with mentally unstable individuals who are also more susceptible to suicide? These individuals have different perspectives n the causes of suicide and the reasons for its rapid increase among men in the UK over the years and a s such, to be able to capture a wide aspect of suicide, Purposive Sampling will be used in the selection of the participants. (Campbell et al., 2017: 44).

Design/ Methodological Approach

The methodology employed for use in the research is social constructionist methodology. This is coupled with non experimental methods of data collection including semi structured interviews.

Qualitative design

The research design adopted will be qualitative design as it is appropriate in being able to answer the research questions highlighted. The data collected include individual views and opinions as well as personal perspectives on the high rate of male suicides within the UK. This majorly concerns qualitative data which highlights different patterns and ideas that may be relatable and present meaning to the data collected.

Analysis

Thematic analysis will also be employed in data analysis. Brun and Clarke (2006) highlight that Thematic analysis as a form of analysis for qualitative research studies focuses on examining themes, patterns and connections within raw data collected through different research methods such as interviews as applied in this research study. Accurate and replicable inferences are made from the analysis of the various patterns and themes regarding the causes of high rates of suicide among men in the UK.

Draft of Interview Questions

Name ?

Age ?

Profession?

Have you ever come into contact with a patient who committed suicide?

Were you able to tell from their mental state that they can be suicidal?

What do you think were some of the causes for them to commit suicide?

Do you think the occurrence could have been prevented or avoided in any way?

Why is there a high suicide rate among men in the UK?

Procedure/ Data Collection

The research aims to use semi structured interviews with various professionals within my team. A total of 20 professionals raging from psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, support workers and mental health nurses will all be individually interviewed on various aspects of suicidal tendencies in men. Each interview is scheduled for approximately 20 minutes.

Ethical Concerns

The research involves the collection of primary data that involves human interaction and the use of humans as the major information source. Ethical issues therefore arise concerning the relevant courtesy to be afforded the various individuals while collecting this information as outlined by British Psychological Association (2013). The main ethical concern in this case includes interviewing professionals who have information regarding different patients which should be protected according to medical professional standards. To avoid ethical issue therefore the study will focus on interviewing only willing participants and further keeping their names and identity anonymous so as to enhance their privacy.

Potential Difficulties

Among the potential difficulties foreseen in the conduction of the project include financial constraints as well as corporation from the medical professionals who are always laden with medical work to be able to involve in a research work. In addition gaining certain permits may also prove to be a burden.

References

McManus, S., Hassiotis, A., Jenkins, R., Dennis, M., Aznar, C. and Appleby, L. (2016) ‘Chapter 12: Suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and self-harm’ in McManus, S., Bebbington, P., Jenkins, R. and Brugha, T. (eds) (2016) Mental Health and Wellbeing in England: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014. Leeds: NHS Digital.

Mental Health Foundation (2016) Fundamental Facts about Mental Health. Mental Health Foundation: London.

University of Manchester (2015)National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness 2015: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales July 2015. Manchester: University of Manchester.

Wyllie, C., Platt, S., Brownlie, J., Chandler, A., Connolly, S., Evans. R. and Kennelly, B. (2012) Men, Suicide and Society. Why disadvantaged men in mid-life die by suicide. Surrey: Samaritans.