Male Suicide and Metacognition

Plain-language summary

Suicide is the act of killing oneself and accounts for one death every 40 seconds around the world. In the UK, over 75% of suicides are completed by men. Suicidal ideation is a symptom of depression and is assessed when diagnosing depressive disorder. Men are three times more likely to complete suicide than women but half as likely to be diagnosed with depression, and therefore risk missing out on potentially lifesaving treatments. Men experiencing depression and associated suicidality are less likely to demonstrate traditional symptoms such as hopelessness and sadness, and more likely to engage in unhelpful coping strategies such as avoidance through over-working, substance misuse, or risk-taking behaviours, and may feel that they have lost control. Previous research has shown a link between rumination and increased suicidal intent. Unhelpful coping strategies, distorted beliefs about uncontrollability, and thinking processes such as rumination, are central to the metacognitive model of psychological distress and are targeted in Metacognitive Therapy (MCT). The aim of this project is to identify if any aspects of the thinking styles described above are present in a sample of men who are suicidal. The project will also explore beliefs about masculinity and how these beliefs might impact help-seeking. In order to achieve these aims, 15 male service-users without a severe and enduring mental illness, who are receiving care from the Home Based Treatment Team following suicidal thoughts or actions, will be invited to take complete some questionnaires and partake in an interview.

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