Unemployment and underemployment are linked with suicide rates

The article, Unemployment and underemployment are causes of suicide, published 12 July 2023, examines the relationship between unemployment, underemployment, and suicide. The authors found that these labor market conditions aren’t just economic issues; they’re linked to suicide rates. The study is a wake-up call, highlighting the human cost of joblessness. We don’t know for sure whether reducing unemployment and underemployment would decrease suicide rates, but this research suggests it’s a worthwhile target. It’s a powerful acknowledgment of what many of us working in the field see everyday; context, including economic factors, can have profound impacts on mental health and wellbeing. 

Takeaways:  

This study provides strong evidence that economic policies towards full employment are critical to national suicide prevention, affirming elements of the overall direction that both US and Australian national strategies for suicide prevention are moving in.

This study underscores the importance of a holistic approach to suicide prevention—one that addresses not only individual mental health and broader socio-economic factors.

On an individual level, we can:

• Ask about employment status and frame the responses as a strength or protective factor, or a potential stressor
• Target unemployment and underemployment in our responses, especially when those factors are tied to suicidality for a person. This can include creating contingency plans that address potential changes in employment status and referring for unmet needs like employment supports, job coaching links, and referrals for unmet needs.