Understanding suicide risk in Greater Essex

Research has identified a wide range of risk factors for suicide, including mental health issues, intimate partner difficulties, and substance use. For completed suicides, there is also variation in history of accessing health or other support services. The range of risk factors and help seeking behaviours suggests there may be subgroups within suicide completers. A better understanding of this may help inform preventative approaches.

Dr Nicolas Geeraert will present an analysis of police data of suspected suicides (N = 344) in Southend, Essex, and Thurrock. A large set of demographic and psychosocial variables were collected for each case (e.g., sex, age, health, relationships, living circumstances). Analysis identified three distinct groups, which will be discussed in terms of their demographic and socio-psychological characteristics and possible intervention points for each group.

In addition, Professor Ewen Speed, who is leading research on vulnerabilities within the Greater Essex Health Determinants Research Collaboration, will provide an update on plans for new research across Greater Essex to understand experiences of professionals across sectors whose work intersects with suicide prevention and who work with people in despair.

Further, Professor Susan McPherson will provide a brief summary of a new NIHR programme of mental health research beginning across Greater Essex and where the programme may intersect with suicide research.

Essex has a concerning rate of deaths by suicide per annum and Tendring in particular has one of the highest suicide rates in England. Therefore the session will include time for discussion on how research can support the work of the Essex suicide prevention board and feed into work to help prevent and reduce suicide rates in our region.

Refreshments will be available.

Register on Eventbrite to attend.