First established in 2003, World Suicide Day is marked every year by people around the world on the 10th of September, with the aim of raising awareness and spreading the singular message that suicides are preventable.
This year’s theme for World Suicide Prevention Day, is ‘Change the Narrative’, encouraging people to #StartTheConversation. By breaking down the stigmas attached to mental health issues, you can help create a better space for people to open up, and contribute to a culture of understanding and support for everyone.
For victim-survivors of domestic abuse, their experiences can have an extremely negative impact on their mental health, and in some cases, this can result in suicide. While the extent of domestic abuse-related suicides is largely unknown, there is a documented increase in the risk of suicide in victim-survivors of abuse, particularly amongst women.
A report produced by the National Domestic Homicide Project, from April 2022 to March 2023, recorded 242 domestic abuse-related deaths, 93 of which were suspected suicide following abuse, becoming the biggest cause of death related to domestic abuse for the first time.
In summer 2024, the case of Kellie Sutton was believed to be the first time an inquest has returned a conclusion of unlawful killing after a woman has taken her own life. Kellie Sutton died in 2017 and her family fought for many years for an inquest after a previous conclusion by Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court that she died by suicide. Kelly experienced coercive control from her partner, which officers at the time had not considered.
Although Kellie’s case is a significant step to address this issue, domestic abuse-related suicides are still a massively under-researched issue, often referred to as “the quiet problem”. Coroners often fail to acknowledge the impact of abuse during an inquest, and families affected have called for coroners to undergo specific training to understand the role domestic abuse may play.
Leeds Domestic Violence Service supports victim-survivors of domestic abuse with a range of needs. This also includes our team of Complex Needs IDVAs (Independent Domestic Violence Advocates) who provide specialist support and legal advocacy to suit individual’s unique requirements. Our 2023 Impact Report found that 59% of people who had been supported by a Complex Needs IDVA had mental health vulnerabilities.
Our 2023 Impact Report also found that 36% of people who used our services had been supported around their mental health. One third of people who used our services felt better able to manage their mental health, and two thirds felt more optimistic about their future.
It is so important to #StartTheConversation, check in with friends and family, as well as checking in with yourself, beyond World Suicide Prevention Day, so that we can create open and supportive conversations for everybody to get the help that they need.
For confidential support or advice about domestic abuse, call our helpline anytime on 0113 246 0401.
If you need support with your mental health, call Samaritans anytime on 116 123 or visit:
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) – MindWell (mindwell-leeds.org.uk)
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust – Home
In an emergency always ring 999.
Resources:
https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/world-suicide-prevention-day/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-66132629
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