Where suicide and domestic abuse intersect
***HEALTH WARNING – THIS BLOG EXPLORES THE TOPIC OF SUICIDE***
We recently posted about the link between domestic abuse and suicide for Suicide Prevention Day (10/09/25) and wanted to delve deeper into this topic.
The statistics make for grim reading. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 727,000 people globally will lose their life to suicide each year. That’s one person every 40 seconds.
For anybody who has lost a loved one in such a way, you will know what a complex topic it is - numerous factors can lead someone down that path. This Suicide Prevention Film from the WHO details actions which helped encourage individuals to keep going. They state a compassionate, non-judgemental approach can help, as can openness and kindness.
Domestic abuse and suicide can often intersect. The Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme found 30% of all suspected suicides were among those known to Kent Police as being impacted by domestic abuse. As a Domestic Abuse Related Death Review chair I have, very sadly, explored the circumstances surrounding numerous overdoses and suicides where domestic abuse was present. Whilst it is difficult to know the primary cause of suicide, recent research by Professor Jane Monckton-Smith highlights how feelings of hopelessness and despair are key to look out for. These feelings can be exacerbated when in a controlling relationship where isolation increases and freedom of choice reduces. Within Professor Monckton-Smith’s work, she affirmed how key it is to take disclosures of abuse seriously. Where help and support are offered it may be easier for people to see a way out of their circumstances. Where help seeking does not appear to work, people struggle to see options and risk of suicide increases.
DAWS aims to bring those using abusive behaviour into organisation’s thinking. Their behaviour can of course, increase the risk of their partner ending their life but they too may be considering suicide. A 2023 paper co-authored by our DAWS associate Luke Kendall, suggested the suicide rate with those using what’s known as “high-risk, high-harm domestic abuse” is significantly higher than many other high-risk groups. This can have devastating impacts on those left behind, especially family and friends.
Within our previous direct work with those using harm, unpicking whether someone has said they will end their life as a control mechanism, a genuine call for help or both is complex work and unlikely to be something an employer can do. But, taking any indication / concern of suicide seriously and supporting someone to see what support they can access can be transformative. Where someone might be feeling suicidal and using harmful behaviour in their relationships your approach could positively impact their situation in ways you may never know.
Further support: