Abstract: Background: The cost-of-living crisis may be contributing to suicide rates, but this has not been adequately tested. Aims: We aimed to determine whether the cost-of-living crisis is associated with suicide rates in multiple countries and areas-within-countries. Method: We sourced country- and area-within-country-level monthly suicide data at a minimum from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022 (and at a maximum from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2023), and population denominator and monthly headline consumer price index (CPI) data. We calculated the yearly change in inflation as the percentage change in CPI for one month versus the equivalent month in the previous year. We estimated associations between yearly change in inflation (lagged by one month) and suicide rates for each country and area-within-country, using autoregressive negative binomial regression. We summarized results using weighted means. Results: We obtained data on 1,372,994 suicides from 54 countries. At the country-level, for every 1.0% increase in yearly inflation in the previous month, there was an average 0.2% increase in suicide rates. The association was strongest in those aged 30–49 and 50–69; for every 1.0% increase in yearly inflation in the previous month, there were 0.3% and 0.6% increases in suicide rates for these age-groups, respectively. This pattern held for males in these age-groups, with increases of the same magnitude, and for females aged 50–69, with a 0.8% increase. At the area-within-country-level, the picture was even starker. Limitations: Study limitations include: the ecological design; the single measure of inflation; potential variations in suicide data quality; lack of representation by low-and-middle-income countries (LMICS); lack of availability of sex, age and sex/age breakdowns for some countries and areas-within-countries; and potential issues with multiple testing. Conclusions: There is an association between the cost-of-living crisis and suicide rates internationally. Public and social policies that improve people’s circumstances are critical.
: Background: Suicide-related stigma is an under-researched risk factor for suicide and evidence for interventions specifically designed to reduce suicide-related stigma remains limited. Aims: This study aims to understand the consequences of suicide-related stigma and how it can be reduced. Methods: Thirty adults in Scotland with experience of suicidal thoughts/attempt(s) in the past five years were interviewed in person, by phone, or online via Zoom. Participants were aged 18 to 71 years (M = 28.7 years), 70% were female, and 87% were White. The interviews were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: Two themes captured the impact of suicide-related stigma: negative consequences and no impact. Two themes addressed reducing stigma: education and open conversations. These themes represent that within our sample, suicide-related stigma was associated with poor mental health, and it can act as a barrier to help seeking among those who experience suicidal thoughts and attempt(s). Promoting awareness among the public, including having open conversations surrounding suicide were suggested as potential ways to reduce suicide-related stigma. Promoting awareness among the public was also considered to potentially increase help seeking and support for those with suicidal thoughts and decrease suicidal behavior. Limitations: Individuals experiencing high levels of suicide-related stigma may have chosen not to take part in research of this kind. Given that one author conducted all 30 interviews, interpretative biases as a result of working within the suicide prevention and suicide-related stigma field could have been present. Conclusions: The findings of this study could be considered in the development of policy and prevention strategies related to suicide.
