Suicide is complex and multi-factorial, yet not much is known about why some people are more vulnerable than others. It's a difficult subject, often avoided, and layered with assumptions.
We are on a journey to change the way suicide is
understood, discussed and treated by focusing on the science and adopting a more knowledge led approach to suicide reduction.
Knowledge is hope.
#suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawarenessprevention #suicideawareness
We want to radically change the way suicide is understood, discussed and treated. So HOW are we going to do this?
1. Funding research into the biological factors that can increase suicide risk - how brain chemistry, genetics, inflammation and stress symptoms interact - and how these markers can be identified earlier.
2. Moving treatment from reactive crisis response to proactive, preventive care, by bridging the gap between the neuroscience and mental health care.
3. Changing the way suicide is understood and discussed, shifting the focus from blame to understanding, and replacing silence and judgement with knowledge, compassion and responsibility.
Knowledge is hope.
#suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawarness
Suicide is a major global health issue, with more than 720,000 people dying by suicide each year. This means a death by suicide occurs roughly every 43 seconds.*
Each one of these lives matter. Every story matters. This is our story.
*World Health Organisation, 2025
#suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawarness
Many suicidal crises are brief and fast-moving. Studies have found the time from thought to action can be incredibly short - with almost half of attempts happening within the first 10 minutes.
This is why it's so important to drive prevention measures upstream - shifting the focus from reactive treatment at the point of crisis, to more proactive, upfront measures that reduce and stop the number of crises occurring.
Full research papers can be found here:
/doi/full/10.1002/cpp.2580
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19026258/
https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/means-matter/means-matter-basics/duration-of-suicidal-crises/
Credits:
"From decision to action: Suicidal history and time between decision to die and actual suicide attempt", by L. Paashaus et al, 2021
"The duration of the suicidal process: how much time is left for intervention between consideration and accomplishment of a suicide attempt", by E.A.Deisenhammer et al, 2009
"Duration of suicidal crises", Harvard T.H.Chan, School of Public Health
#suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness
Research findings suggest genetics may play a role in suicidal behaviour. Whilst there is NOT a single "suicide gene", studies have found 77 genetic areas that can contribute to increased suicide risk. Many of the identified genes were linked to brain systems involved in emotional regulation, decision-making and stress responses - an important link to the existing research on the brain and suicide (see our previous post).
Genes alone do not explain suicidal behaviour - but understanding these genetic contributions provides another layer of understanding on why some individuals may be more vulnerable to suicide, and could provide a new approach to suicide prevention.
Full research papers can be found here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34030748/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40282388/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41282879/
Credits:
"Genetic contributions to suicidal thoughts and behaviours", by Emily DiBlasi et al, 2021
"Genetics of suicide", by Mostafa Khalil et al, 2025
"Genome-wide association studies identify 77 loci for suicidality and provide novel biological insights" by Sarah M. C. Colbert et al, 2025
#suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness
First up in our research spotlight is a paper that draws from multiple independent studies focused on understanding suicidal behaviour and the brain. The findings highlight a number of important differences that could help change the way we understand and prevent suicide.
From differences in the level of brain activity, changes in brain structure, the brain 'wiring', chemicals, stress response symptoms and inflammation - together these changes can have a catastrophic impact on a person's ability to regulate distress, think clearly and to stop suicidal thoughts turning into actions.
This is an important strand of research that adds to our understanding of the complexity of suicide.
The full research paper can be found at:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7676389/
Credit: "A Brain-Centric Model to Suicide Behaviour", by J.J.Mann and M.M.Rizk. Published in Am J Psychiatry, 2020
#suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness
This week is Mental Health Awareness week. We are choosing to mark this by shining a spotlight on the different strands of suicide research that challenge deeply rooted, and sometimes dangerous assumptions, about suicide.
Our aim is to raise awareness of the 40+ years of research that already exists and to shift focus on translating this knowledge into practical, preventative and life saving actions that are rooted in the science. Throughout the week we'll be sharing more details, with links to specific research papers and research bodies paving the way in broadening our understanding of suicide.
Knowledge is hope x
#suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #research #knowledgeishope
Suicide awareness and the importance of mental health has increased significantly over the past few decades, thanks largely to the incredible charities doing important work in the name of suicide prevention.
However, if we look at the data, death rates have remained largely flat over the past 40 years. Suicide remains a global health issue, and within the UK is the biggest killer of men under 50 and women under 35.
So what are we missing? This is the question we are asking. We want to go BEYOND the assumptions and root preventative action in the science, in treating the underlying causes that contribute and lead to suicide.
Knowledge is hope x
#suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #knowledgeishope
We've got big ambitions and big plans, but we need help to get there. If you have skills that could be helpful or time to volunteer, please get in touch and let us know. Key areas we need help with: Event Planning, PR, Social Media, Fundraising, Photography/Media, Music Industry and more!
#suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #charity #volunteer
CELEBRATION TIME! We've now raised over £15,000 - a huge milestone for our first few months. Thank you to everyone who has donated, supported us and shared our purpose. Grateful for all your support 💙 Your donations will support scientific research to help us better understand the biological risk factors of suicide and drive innovative proactive ways of managing these. We'll be posting more details on the research we are investing in soon - keep following us for more details!
#suicide #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #charity #fundraising
We've been busy! April was a busy month, as we took our first steps in our plan to become one of the UK's leading charities for suicide awareness and prevention. It's been incredible seeing our plans come to life and the way all of our supporters have gotten behind us, and for that we are hugely grateful. 💙 If you'd like to be part of our journey, see our website for ways you can get involved or send us a DM. We're just getting started.
#suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #charity
Sign up and run the Great Scottish Run on behalf of Beyond Assumption! With a city centre start and finish, this half-marathon is a celebration of everything that makes Glasgow truly great: inspiring urban architecture, green spaces, history, music, strength, spirit, and of course, great people, personality and humour. Sign up link in comments section.
#greatscottishrun #glasgow #halfmarathon #halfmarathontraining #fundraising
