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‘Explore’ internet use of those at risk of suicide – Isle of Man Today


Mental health clinicians should ’explore’ the internet activities of service users they fear are at risk of suicide.

That is one of the recommendations from the select committee investigation into suicide rates in the Isle of Man and methods of prevention.

In the five years from 2013 to 17, there were 41 lives lost to suicide. In 2019 there were 10 inquest verdicts of suicide, while a further three deaths were recorded as possible suicides.

However, suicide rates in the island, based on a three-year rolling average, were considered ’steady’ and comparable with England, according to the director of public health.

But the social affairs policy review committee comments: ’While we accept this professional advice as far as the statistics are concerned, we would comment that, from our perspective as members Tynwald, such advice is of little comfort when dealing face-to-face with a bereaved family.

’A single death by suicide is one too many.’

The committee took evidence from a wide range of people and organisations.

It says: ’A number of witnesses expressed concerns about the ability of social media and the internet to influence suicidal ideation, particularly in young people.

’Concerns around the internet are primarily two-fold: it may be used to access information on suicide or may glorify suicide, intentionally or otherwise.

’Some witnesses raised concerns about how the internet may be used to harass people and thus have the potential to influence suicidal ideation.’

The report recommends: ’Guidance be developed on the online environment and suicide-related internet use and disseminated to clinicians; and that clinicians be encouraged to explore service users’ internet use as part of suicide risk assessments.’

The committee investigation into issues surrounding suicide and methods of prevention is the latest in a long line of inquires by Tynwald and the government, and it acknowledges that in the past 30 years, ’little progress has been made in tackling the issue’.

Figures from the public health directorate show that, between 2008-17, there were 92 deaths by suicide or undetermined intent, a rate of 10.96 per 100,000. Of these, 71 were male, equating to 17.06 per 100,000, and 21 were female, a rate of 4.97 per 100,000.

The overall rate in the UK over the same time period was 10.58 per 100,000, which divided down to a rate of 16.45 per 100,000 form men and 5.03 per 100,000 for women.

The committee says: ’While the link between suicide and mental health issues is well established, there are numerous other factors which can lead to someone taking their own life, and many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis caused by a breakdown in the ability to deal with stresses.

’Therefore, combating the issue requires a broad public health approach.’

Other factors can include adverse childhood experiences, homelessness, a relationship breakdown, money issues, substance abuse, social isolation, the suicide of a loved one, bullying, or a history of suffering or witnessing abuse, gambling problems, illness, incarceration and chronic pain.

’Often a number of these factors will be concurrently present in a suicide victim.’

How cases are reported can also have an impact.

’The reporting of suicide may increase the suicide risk for those exposed to a death,’ the committee says.

’The language used to describe a death, the information about the circumstances surrounding a death and the use of prominent photos of a deceased may serve to glamorise a death, lead to identification with a deceased and increase the suicide risk amongst those who may already be vulnerable.

’Contagion may be caused through the community, media, or online reaction to a death.’

The report acknowledges that both the print and broadcast media operate to widely recognised guidelines on reporting of suicides, but it also recommends that the Communications Commission ’develop guidance’ on reporting suicide and disseminate it to the organisations it regulates.







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