THE findings of a report analysing suicide in South Asian communities have been released today at an event in Bradford City Centre.

The research was conducted by Sharing Voices and funded by West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, which also supported with the delivery of the project.

The report identifies perceptions of suicide in South Asian communities as well as looking at how religions such as Sikhism and Islam shape these views.

People who have been impacted by suicide, either through their own suicidal experiences or those of close family members have been interviewed, to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that play a role in this and why preventative measures aren’t working.

The report states a number of reasons why people in the South Asian community may feel that suicide is the only answer to their problems; a key reason being they don’t fit the conservative South Asian mould, as well as their mental -health concerns not being taken seriously.  

One Pakistani female who attempted suicide said in the report: “For a long time, no one really understood my mental health issues. I went to the psychiatrist once by myself and all she gave me was antidepressants.

“When I questioned her about the side effects, she got angry and said this is the only way.

“All the elders in my life would just bring up my shortcomings and would just say, it’s because you aren’t working hard enough, it’s because you aren’t religious enough or that God is angry with me.

“I stopped trying to get help at one point because I completely just shut down. I was so exhausted from trying and failing, it became this vicious cycle of hope and despair.

“No one acknowledged that I had been through a lot, no one saw that I was actually giving everything I had, I just didn’t have much to begin with.”

From the research findings, the recommended suicide prevention methods outlined include: effectively addressing the early onset of mental health problems and providing safe spaces for young people to speak and discuss trauma and mental health issues and self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Furthermore, the development of a specialist BAME suicide prevention team to provide support, training, advice, and guidance to agencies and practitioners in relation to suicide as well as provide culturally sensitive support to families and individuals affected by suicide and assist them in managing loss from suicide.

The research is designed to help overcome gaps in knowledge, understanding and evidence base in relation to suicide prevention for South Asian communities; arising from a recognition that across the region we do not know enough about the nature, extent and context of the issue within South Asian communities.

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