An exploration of the dynamics of suicide among women

There has been a great deal of concern about the rising rates of suicide in Northern Ireland. To date, the discussion has tended to focus on suicide among men, with little consideration given to suicide among women. This lack of attention is concerning as studies suggest there are important gender differences in suicidal behaviour. The aim of this presentation is to address this gap in our understanding by placing the female gender as a central factor in our analysis. The presentation delivers findings in three parts: (i) those from a literature review to provide a broad overview of what is currently known about the issue of women and suicide; (ii) those from an analysis of data relating to a cohort of 78 female suicides that took place in Northern Ireland over a two year period, to provide an overview of the help seeking undertaken by these women prior to their death and the type of issues implicated in their suicides. The data were drawn from GP and Coroner records; and, (iii) those from a qualitative analysis of 16 interviews with relatives of women who died, using their views to suggest how services might develop supportive interventions that are best suited to the local setting

The role of paramilitary punishment attacks and intimidation in death by suicide in post agreement Northern Ireland

The signing of the Good Friday agreement effectively brought an end to the widespread violence associated with the ‘Troubles’. However, communities within Northern Ireland continue to be blighted by an insidious form of violence in the form of punishment beatings and intimidation. Anecdotal evidence published in news media have linked cases of such intimidation and violence to individual cases of suicide. However, to date, there has been a lack of empirical research examining this relationship. The aim of this seminar is to address this gap in our knowledge by examining these forms of violence among a cohort of individuals who died by suicide in Northern Ireland. Using data collected from Coroners and GP files and during interviews with family members, we use a modified version of the psychological autopsy method to explore how intimidation and/or beatings, at or around the time of the death, may have contributed to the suicides of individuals who died over a two-year period. We explore some of the specific features of these deaths and examine associated help seeking with primary care and other mental health professionals. We conclude by exploring ways in which this challenging issue might be tackled at a policy level

Towards an understanding of bereavement in the pathway to suicide

Abstract Key Points 1. Suicide bereavement is associated with increased depression and risk of suicide. The increasing rate of suicide in Northern Ireland presents a major challenge to health and social care policy. 2. To date policy development on the topic has been hampered by a lack of local evidence. Contextually specific research reports are now emerging to strengthen the evidence-base. 3. The findings from our own study suggest that people bereaved by suicide include extended family members and members of the wider community, who can experience lengthy periods of depression and anxiety. 4. Bereaved family members and significant others, may require more nuanced, multi-dimensional interventions, provided over extended periods of time, in order to facilitate varied and complex grief processes. 5. A focus on empowerment, education and information may provide results that are as effective as increasing access to psychological services – these approaches should exist in tande

The Emotional Risks of Turning Stories into Data: An Exploration of the Experiences of Qualitative Researchers Working on Sensitive Topics

A great deal of research has been undertaken into areas involving sensitive topics. In spite of longstanding acceptance that such research can be emotionally risky for participants, interest in the impact of this work on the researcher has only relatively recently become a topic of concern. This paper reports on a roundtable convened with qualitative researchers working in sensitive research areas. The article explores their views in relation to the emotional risks they encountered in relation to their work. A grounded theory, thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and comparisons are made between researcher experiences and those highlighted by earlier studies. We illuminate how researchers described personal concerns about the emotional risks, before focusing on how the researcher’s sense of professionalism contributed to, or protected against, these emotional risks and emotions. This paper also discusses the faltering nature of the support provided to these researchers and the challenges created by the need they felt to create impactful research. The authors conclude by arguing that current support and guidance provided to researchers working in sensitive areas fails to address the complexity of the emotional reaction of the researcher. We call for the development of specialised training and improved use of theoretical concepts such as emotion work, to guide those undertaking this challenging work

Suicide in post agreement Northern Ireland: A Study of the Role of Paramilitary Intimidation 2007-2009

Since the end of the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, there has been a rise in the number of acts of intimidation and Paramilitary Punishment Attacks (PPA). Anecdotally, some suicides have been linked to such incidents. To date, there has been a lack of research examining this association. This article details a case series study exploring how individual deaths by suicide in Northern Ireland were connected to intimidation. Data from Coroners, GP records and interviews with family members were examined to identify experiences of intimidation among a two-year cohort who died by suicide. Further case based analysis was conducted using a modified version of the psychological autopsy method. Our results indicate that in 19 male suicides there were incidents of intimidation in the twelve months prior to death. The suicides of these men are discussed in relation to the suicide model of entrapment. Our findings highlight the continuing problem of intimidation in Northern Ireland and suggest further research into the connection between these incidents and suicide is warranted

A scoping review of the psychological and emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young people.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many changes to the lives of children and young people. Our aim is to explore the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children and young people (ages 5–21). Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was used to report the findings of this rapid review. Results: Children and young people are potentially very vulnerable to the emotional impact of traumatic events that disrupt their daily lives. Key areas of concern include: Death Anxiety and Fear of Infection; lack of social interaction and loss of routine. Conclusions: Despite some early and responsive studies, the evidence base for pandemic impact on children and young people is very limited. Such evidence is urgentlyneeded if adequate and responsive services, that can mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic for children and young people can be established

Spying and Surveillance in Shakespeare’s Dramatic Courts

This thesis examines representations of spying and surveillance in Shakespearean drama in conjunction with historical practices of espionage in later sixteenth-century England. The introductory chapter outlines how spying operations were conducted in Elizabethan England, with specific attention to the complex attitudes and behaviour of individual agents working in the broader context of the religious wars, both hot and cold, taking place between Protestant England and the Catholic powers of continental Europe. It also provides some analysis of the organisational structures within which those agents worked and examines a wide range of particular cases to illustrate how surveillance operations might play out in practice. The memory of Sir Francis Walsingham, often described as the ‘spymaster’ of Elizabeth’s government and noted for his skill in intelligence work, would have loomed large for any dramatist thinking about espionage at the turn of the seventeenth century. Subsequent chapters each examine a specific play in light of the material presented in the introduction, comprising Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Measure for Measure, Henry V and Hamlet. Each chapter seeks to elucidate how Shakespeare draws upon the world of Elizabethan espionage to provide vital structural components in his dramatic plotting, especially as regards inter-personal relationships between courtiers, secretaries and agents on the ground. Real individuals and the spies depicted in Shakespeare’s plays all behave in a manner that is personally inflected to a profound degree, and it is this particular aspect of early-modern espionage that provides the single most important connection between history and drama. Periodically, this thesis also reflects upon the metatheatrical relationship between characters’ schemes and Shakespeare’s own plotting as a dramatist

Practitioner perspectives on best practice in non‐treatment factors that support the delivery of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depression

Accessible Summary What is known about the subject? - The practices of mental health nurses in the administration of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatments for depression in outpatient clinic are crucial for patient outcomes - To date, most research has focused directly on procedural aspects of treatment delivery with limited focus on the delivery of holistic care and treatment, - There is a lack of best practice guidance based on the experiences of those involved in clinical delivery to inform and improve rTMS practices What this paper adds to existing knowledge? - This study provides unique insights into service and personalized non‐treatment factors associated with rTMS delivery that may reduce stress and improve the experiences of rTMS patients - It reviews and updates understanding of the factors that contribute to the delivery of effective rTMS. What are the implications for practice? - The need to apply findings for the development of best practice guidance - Factors to improve practice include (a) rTMS machine demonstrations; (b) constructive, individualized, friendly, and therapeutic conversations; (c) a relaxing, comfortable, 'homely' physical environment; (d) long term supportive management; and (e) careful engagement of nursing and support staff

Bereavement during employment in Higher Education (UK): 2023 Survey Report

Very little is known about the bereavement experiences of staff in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), despite bereavement being a common experience and one that can impact both one’s wellbeing and work performance. Members of Open Thanatology at the Open University surveyed staff across universities, open to all levels and roles, to find out more about staff knowledge of their institutions’ policies and their own bereavement experiences. A total of 539 responses were received within a three-week period in early 2023; over 70% of those who responded had experienced at least one bereavement whilst working. This document reports descriptive statistics based on the survey findings. Topics covered include: the ease of understanding any available policy, if workload was covered in their absence, sufficiency of leave period, and support from line managers and colleagues. The survey, and related reports such as this, set the scene for generating improvements within the sector for university employers to become more compassionate and champion staff wellbeing. On page 17 we provide our five recommendations for HEIs to improve workplace experiences of bereavement

Suicidal students' use of and attitudes to primary care prevention services

Aim The aims of this study were to improve responses to students in distress and who are feeling suicidal, to help practitioners to increase their responsiveness to those at high risk of suicide and to develop effective responses to those affected by their deaths. The study sought to build a detailed picture of students’ patterns of service use. Background National suicide prevention strategies emphasise that suicide prevention requires the collaboration of a wide range of organisations. Among these, primary care services play a key role in relation to suicide prevention for young people in crisis. Methods This study, undertaken between 2004 and 2007, focused on 20 case studies of student suicide that took place in the United Kingdom between May 2000 and June 2005. It adopted a psychological autopsy approach to learn from a wide range of informants, including parents, friends, university staff and the records of coroners or procurator fiscals. Twenty families gave permission for their son’s or daughter’s death to be included in the study and agreed to participate in the study. Informants were interviewed in person and the data were analysed thematically. Analysis of the case study data suggested that in a number of cases students had failed to engage with services sufficiently early or in sufficient depth. Primary care practitioners need to be proactive in communicating concerns about vulnerable students to student support services. At local levels, collaboration between student support and National Health Service practitioners varied considerably and channels of communication need to be developed