around the world are now
using the Henry Ford
approach as a model to
reduce suicides among mental
health patients.
A Reaching out
O’Connor believes such
large-scale public health
approaches are important,
but says if the male suicide
problem is to be properly
tackled, there need to be
gender-specific initiatives.
“We need to speak to men
and genuinely understand
what they need. That involves
getting beyond referring men
to clinical services, but going
to where men are – sports
clubs, for example – and
promoting connection,
wellbeing and stress
management there, though
not framed as ‘suicide
prevention’.”
It’s a myth, says men’s suicide
charity CALM, that men don’t
want to talk about their feelings
- they often simply don’t want
to share their problems with
family, friends and colleagues.
That’s where confidential and
anonymous helplines such as
Samaritans and CALM have a
vital role to play.
Clinical psychologist Martin
Seager, formerly a consultant
for Samaritans, agrees it’s
important to target services
specifically to men, and
advocates men-only discussion
groups across the country. “In
single-sex groups men can be
very bloke-y one minute, then
talk about something incredibly
painful the next. If men are
alone in a room, they are
tremendously good at
supporting each other.”
Another way of helping men
explore their feelings without
involving those close to them
is via technology. Franklin’s
team has developed an
experimental mobile app that
increases aversion to suicide
and promotes feelings of
self-worth via a simple
association game available on
iOS called Tec-Tec. Early
trials are encouraging.
Another American
psychologist, Robert Morris, is
trialling a website which
provides peer support for
people with depression and
helps users reassess negative
thoughts using cognitive
behavioural therapy.
O’Connor is working with
researchers at Vrije
Universiteit Amsterdam on a
smartphone app that will help
high-risk men monitor feelings
of entrapment and suicidality.
He believes that technology
undoubtedly has a role to play.
“But we need to get evidence
first,” he says. “If we can
demonstrate that an approach
is effective in a clinical trial,
then you can use an app-based
approach to broaden its reach
to everyone.” 7[email protected]If you are concerned about
someone, talk to them and
gently ask them if they’re
feeling suicidal. “It sounds
scary, but there’s no evidence
that asking about suicide
plants the idea in someone’s
head,” says psychologist
Rory O’Connor. “Indeed,
there’s some evidence that
it protects people. Often the
person who’s suicidal feels
relieved that someone has
actually asked them the
question.”Talk to someone- Lifeline – 0861 322 322
- Suicide Crisis Line – 0800
567 567 - SADAG Mental Health Line
- 011 234 4837
WHERE TO
FIND HELP
Following the National
Firearms Buyback Program
in Australia, more than
660,000 guns were taken
out of public hands,
and suicide by firearms
decreased dramatically.