CO-CHAIRS
Suicide is a complex public health problem influenced by multiple factors, including social determinants such as poverty, unemployment, financial stress, low educational achievement, childhood abuse and neglect, exposure to violence, and social isolation. Addressing these underlying determinants through early interventions―both universal and selective―is essential for preventing the onset of suicidal distress and is critical to suicide prevention at scale. Additionally, early interventions that address social determinants can reduce the need for costly treatments in the future (e.g., hospitalisations or long-term care following suicide attempts) and ease the burden on health and social systems.
This Special Interest Group aims to bring together people who are interested and/or have expertise in social determinants of suicide to work together to address these determinants to prevent suicide.
OBJECTIVES:
- Share research on social determinants of suicide conducted around the world.
- Share information on policies and interventions that address the social determinants of suicide.
- Facilitate international collaboration in research and grant acquisition.
- Share knowledge and methodological expertise through conference symposia and/or workshops.
- Foster interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and collaboration across research, policy, and practice.
KEY RESEARCH PAPERS:
- Addressing key risk factors for suicide at a societal level.
Pirkis J, Bantjes J, Dandona R, Knipe D, Pitman A, Robinson J, Silverman M, Hawton K.
Lancet Public Health 2024;9:e816–e824. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00158-0 - The social determinants of suicide: an umbrella review.
Gallagher K, Phillips G, Corcoran P, Platt S, McClelland H, O’Driscoll M, Griffin E.
Epidemiol Rev 2025;47(1):mxaf004. doi: 10.1093/epirev/mxaf004. - Social determinants of health and suicide-related outcomes: a review of meta-analyses.
Na PJ, Shin J, Kwak HR, et al.
JAMA Psychiatry, 2025;82(4):337–346. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4241. - Widening socioeconomic inequalities in Australian suicide.
Too LS, Law PCF, Spittal MJ, Page A, Milner A.
Social Psychiatry Psychiatric Epidemiol, 2018;53(9):969–976. doi: 10.1007/s00127-018-1527-9. - The effect of economic downturn, financial hardship, unemployment, and relevant government responses on suicide.
Sinyor M, Silverman M, Pirkis J, Hawton K.
Lancet Public Health, 2024;9:e802–e806. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00152-X.
If you would like to join this SIG, please fill in the contact form below:
