The link between mental health-related discrimination and suicidality: service user perspectives. Issue 10 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farrelly, S.; Jeffery, D.; Rüsch, N.; Williams, P.; Thornicroft, G.; Clement, S.
• Is Part Of: Psychological medicine. Volume 45:Issue 10(2015)
• Page Start: 2013
• Page End: 2022
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1017/S0033291714003158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-2917

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="sec_a1"> <title>Background</title> <p>Suicide is a major global public health issue. Mental illness is a risk factor for suicide, but as many individuals with a diagnosed mental health problem do not experience suicidal ideation or attempt suicide, other individual and societal factors must be considered. Mental illness-related discrimination is one potential risk factor.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec_a2" sec-type="methods"> <title>Method</title> <p>Using mixed methods, the influence of discrimination on suicidality amongst 194 individuals diagnosed with depression, bipolar or schizophrenia spectrum disorders was investigated. Qualitative interviews with a sub-sample of 58 individuals who reported a link between experience of discrimination and suicidality were analysed using framework analysis. Quantitative methods were used to examine the model derived from qualitative analyses.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec_a3" sec-type="results"> <title>Results</title> <p>Results indicate that the experience of discrimination led 38% of the overall sample of 194 participants, to suicidal feelings and 20% reported that it contributed to making a suicide attempt. The qualitative model derived from interviews with a sub-sample of 58 participants suggested that the experience of discrimination is experienced as a stressor that exceeds coping resources, leading to a negative self-image and a perception of decreased supportive networks/social structure. The anticipation of further negative events and treatment, and the perception of a lack of supportive networks led individuals in this study to feelings of hopelessness and suicidality. Quantitative analyses provided support for the model.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec_a4" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These data suggest that both psychological therapies aimed at improving coping skills and population-level anti-stigma interventions that reduce the occurrence of discrimination may provide some protection against suicide amongst individuals with mental health problems.</p> </sec> </abstract>