Suicide & Domestic Violence: A Major Public Health Issue On The Rise
Domestic violence and suicide are two major public health issues that are often looked at as separate, isolated problems; but in reality, they are deeply interconnected. Individuals who experience domestic violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) are at greater risk for death by suicide than others on many levels.
According to the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, 33.4% of New Hampshire women have experienced IPV and 81% of New Hampshire perpetrators were either married or related to their victims.
An article from the Partnership to Prevent Domestic Violence states, “exposure to violence leads to an increased risk for suicidal behavior in women and children. While IPV and suicidal behavior are associated, the relationship is not always causal or direct. Instead, IPV may cause disturbances in psychological functioning, and these disturbances then lead to suicidal behavior.” It is thought that IPV can result in disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and schizophrenia., The highest predictor of suicidal behavior in a survivor of IPV is experiencing coercive control as a form of abuse.
A new study led by researchers at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health and the Injury Prevention Research Center indicates that IPV is a precursor to 6.1% of all suicides. The Covid-19 pandemic has also created a “shadow pandemic” of increased domestic violence and IPV around the world. According to a recent article from the University of Alabama, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine indicates that domestic violence rates increased 25-33% globally in 2020.
For psychologists and other health professionals, asking about IPV and addressing safety concerns and helping survivors develop coping skills can be immensely helpful in reducing suicide risk among IPV survivors. Healthcare professionals should also be conscious of the risk factors for domestic violence, including psychiatric illness, alcohol consumption, substance misuse, economic stress, and pregnancy.
For those experiencing domestic violence and IPV, help is out there. The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence maintains 24/7 confidential support through a helpline, as well as text and chat support. Call 866-644-3574 to access domestic violence support. For suicide and crisis support, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. When people reach out through 988, they are connected directly to a trained counselor who can listen, provide support, and offer necessary resources.
Referenced articles:
https://padv.org/exposure-to-violence-linked-to-suicidal-behavior
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/11/suicide-violence
https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/new-study-explores-intimate-partner-violence-as-precursor-to-suicide/
https://www.nhcadsv.org/domesticviolencestatistics.html
https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/