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Research

PAPYRUS supports research that contributes to a greater understanding of young suicide

Public Involvement in Suicide Prevention: understanding and strengthening lay responses to distress

The PUBLIS project (Public Involvement in Suicide Prevention) is proceeding well at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter. Dr Christabel Owens heads the study and PAPYRUS member Judith Belam acts as a lay consultant.

The data collection phase is now complete. Fifteen cases were recruited to the study, and a total of thirty-six interviews were carried out with the families, friends and colleagues of people who had taken their own lives. The analysis of the interviews is now underway.

The study used an in-depth, narrative approach to interviewing that generated an exceedingly rich resource of information about the way in which family members and friends experienced the events leading up to the suicide. The researchers have identified valuable new findings in a number of areas, including:

  • what the suicidal process looked like from the point of view of family members and friends.

  • the social networks of the deceased and the ways in which interpersonal ties and tensions may have affected ability to intervene.

  • other barriers to awareness and intervention existing within the lay network.

  • missed opportunities and potential for prevention.

  • the sort of knowledge, skills and support that might have made a difference.

A presentation of the project's preliminary findings was made to the IASP World Congress on Suicide Prevention in October 2009. It was well received and gave rise to a lively debate. The research team is now preparing papers for publication.

Read more here

Research in Student Suicide

PAPYRUS has recognised for a long time that young people in higher education form a vulnerable group. With the support of The Big Lottery, the charity was able to commission a study on suicide in the student population in the United Kingdom.

The study, RaPSS (Responses and Prevention in Student Suicide), was undertaken by researchers at the University of Central Lancashire and King’s College London.

Key findings highlighted that staff affected by student suicides did not always receive formal support from their university; that universities need to review their availability to students especially over the summer months; that services did not always reach students living in the private rented sector and that not all university/college support services and NHS services seemed to communicate effectively. In addition, some parents of vulnerable students thought that more could have been done to keep them informed.

The study confirmed the need for a training resource to university and college staff understand what part they can play in preventing suicide and how to support friends and family of a suicidal student.

PAPYRUS has produced a suicide prevention resource pack for universities and colleges based on the findings of the research. It includes a training DVD for academic and pastoral staff; a booklet for staff designed to encourage a greater understanding of student suicide, an awareness card for ancillary staff such as porters and cleaners; an information leaflet for students worried about a friend; a help leaflet for a young person who may be feeling suicidal and helpline contact cards.

For more about the Preventing Student Suicide pack, download the summary or full RaPSS report. Responses and Prevention in Student Suicide. PAPYRUS/University of Central Lancashire/King's College. London (2004).

Concern and confidentiality - GPs Responses to Young People in Distress and their Parents PAPYRUS/University of Hull/King's College. London (2004).

Making use of Hindsight - findings and recommendations drawn from a survey of parents bereaved by suicide. PAPYRUS/University of Hull (2001).

Opinion Research

Support for Change in Suicide Law
For many years PAPYRUS has campaigned for greater internet safety Campaigns. There is increasing evidence of the danger to vulnerable young people of pro-suicide sites and chat rooms.

A YouGov survey commissioned by PAPYRUS in January 2008 revealed overwhelming public support for our campaign to change the law to make it illegal for internet sites to publish material that has the sole purpose of encouraging and aiding suicide.

81% of those surveyed agreed that UK law should be amended to ensure that it is illegal to groom young people through online websites and chat rooms to take their own lives. Of these 62% strongly agreed.

In the same survey 78% agreed that the existence of websites that have the sole intention of encouraging others to take their own lives is a threat to young and vulnerable people in our society. Of these 54% strongly agreed.

The support of this nationally representative sample, strengthened our challenge to the government to change the law to protect vulnerable young people.

Research criteria:
All figures are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,047 adults. Field work was undertaken between 31 December 2007 - 2 January 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures are weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

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