Suicide prevention in people who use substances
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a psychological intervention for suicide prevention for people with substance use problems: a qualitative, co-production approach
IRAS ID
268718
Contact name
Daniel Pratt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Suicide is a major cause of preventable death. Death from suicide is understood to be the end point of a journey which starts with wondering thoughts about not being alive anymore, to more serious thoughts about suicide, making suicide plans, engaging in self-harming behaviors, and through to fatal suicide attempts (Compton, Carter, Kryda, Goulding, & Kaslow, 2008; Garrett, Stone, & Turkington, 2006). Not only are suicidal thoughts distressing, but if they are the first point on a scale of increasing suicidal risk then suicidal thoughts should be considered a serious target for intervention (e.g. Tarrier et al., 2013).
Evidence has shown that rates of suicide deaths are higher for people who have problems with alcohol and drug use (Schneider, 2009; NCISS, 2018). However, much remains unknown about the interplay between substance use and suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
The primary aim of this study is to find out more about the relationship between substance use and suicidal thoughts and behaviour from the perspective of people who have substance use problems. This study will develop a new psychological therapy for suicide prevention for people who use substances.
We will conduct 15-20 qualitative interviews with people with substance use problems to find out what might strengthen or reduce the relationship between substance use and suicidal ideation and behaviour. We will then draw upon themes arising from the interviews in a series of 3 co-production workshops where service user participants will work alongside the researchers to co-produce a framework for a new psychological intervention.
The University of Manchester will work with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust. Participants will be recruited from substance use services within this Trust.
Summary of Results
Suicide currently represents a major public health problem with suicide death rates consistently exceeding 11 deaths per 100,000. Thoughts about suicide are psychologically distressing and, therefore, should be considered a legitimate target for intervention in their own right. If suicidal thinking targeted, then we may expect to prevent progression to fatal suicidal attempts for some individuals.
The primary aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between substance use problems and suicidal ideation and behaviour from the perspective of the service user. We interviewed a sample of people in contact with drug and alcohol use services in the Northwest of England.
In this study, we found it is possible to engage and work effectively with substance users regard the difficult topic of suicide and indeed that participants want to talk openly about this issue and seek psychological help. Our findings suggest that substance users would benefit from guided interventions from a range of professionals within different settings, including substance use, mental health and other health and social care services, and that training is essential to give such professionals the understanding, skills and confidence to engage service users in discussing suicide and other related underlying issues.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0646
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion