Male Suicide and Metacognition

Overview

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.

The reduction of suicide is a priority for the Department of Health and Social Care which recommends focusing research and interventions on high-risk groups, such as men. 75% of suicides in the UK are completed by men, it is the biggest killer of men under 45, and 12 men die by suicide each day. Previous research shows that men may be more likely to mask their symptoms and avoid seeking help from friends, family and professionals. Literature suggests this could be due to the social stigma attached to mental ill health and society's traditional expectations of how men should behave. Evidence also suggests that men may be less likely to present with typical symptoms of depression, such as sadness or hopelessness, and be more likely to engage in activities like overworking, substance misuse, promiscuity and gambling. Studies exploring suicidality in adults have found that increased rumination is linked with higher suicidal intent, and that men in particular may experience accepting antidepressant medication as proof that they have 'lost control'. Rumination, avoidance, maladaptive coping strategies, and beliefs about uncontrollability are known as 'metacognitions' and are targeted in Metacognitive Therapy (MCT). MCT has a growing evidence base for a range of psychological disorders, including anxiety and depression, and aims to reduce rumination, avoidance, worry, and maladaptive coping strategies, whilst supporting the individual to discover control. There is a lack of research into how the thinking processes described above present in men who are at risk of suicide. This project aims to contribute to this knowledge base in order to discover whether Metacognitive Therapy (or brief metacognitive interventions) may be a viable treatment option for this population, and worthy of further research. This aim will be achieve by determining which, if any, metacognitions are present in a population of men who are suicidal. Additionally, the project seeks to explore men's beliefs about masculinity and suicide; and how these beliefs along with the thinking styles previously described, may impact on help-seeking. This could inform future planning of engagement and interventions for this population. Justification for this research can be found in national reports such as 'The Five Year Forward View' and the 'NHS Long Term Plan', both of which highlight suicide prevention, particularly in high-risk groups such as men, as a priority for clinicians and researchers; more locally, Greater Manchester Mental Health's NHS Foundation Trust's 'Research \& Innovation Strategy' commits to conducting research into suicide prevention and improving patient safety.