Poor men 10 times more likely to take their own lives
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A NEW report by the Samaritans says men in mid-life, from the lowest social class living in the most disadvantaged areas, are 10 times more likely to commit suicide.
The paper, commissioned by eight leading social scientists, says the decline of traditional male industries mean these men have lost not only their jobs but also a source of masculine pride and identity — and remain overwhelmingly dependent on a female partner for emotional support.
The findings have been picked up by the leader of the For The Right Reasons charity, which works in an area of the city suffering persistent deprivation.
Richard Burkitt (67) says the report’s conclusion concur with what he sees on the ground every day as a resident and a staunch supporter of society’s most vulnerable people.
“Most of us in Merkinch just don’t bother opening our post,” he said.
“I live in a block of flats and its just endless debt letters, from this solicitor and that solicitor, and then people solve their problems by borrowing more money at ridiculously high interest rates. Then they start to get court letters and the police picks them up because they owe the court money and it just goes on and on and on. Debt has a very serious part to play in depression and suicide.”
The Samaritans report says that people working in the least skilled occupations, such as construction workers, are at higher risk of suicide.
And a low level of educational attainment and no home ownership also vastly increase an individual’s risk.
The report says: “Ongoing exposure to stress and adversity may gradually reduce an individual’s biological stress regulation resources, leading to a cumulative physiological toll known as “allostatic load,” otherwise known as the wear and tear of the body.
“Socioeconomic disadvantage itself is a stressor linked to increased allostatic load, but it may also inuence allostatic load indirectly by increasing the likelihood of individuals experiencing childhood adversity and other stressful life events.
“Increased allostatic load brought about by the chronic and acute stresses associated with socioeconomic disadvantage may contribute to suicidal behaviour and mental health problems, such as mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression.”
Ruth Sutherland, chief executive of the Samaritans, said: “Living in poverty shouldn’t mean losing your life. Going through difficult times, like losing your job or being in debt, shouldn’t mean not wanting to live.
“But that is what’s happening in the UK and Ireland today.
“Suicide is killing the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people, devastating families and communities.”
Mr Burkitt believes the problem could be reduced through changes to the labour market policy, such as higher minimum wage and more availability of back-to-work programmes.
He said: “We need to try to get everybody back working and stop this ludicrous culture where its sometimes cheaper not to work. So many people still think they’re better off not working. If you’re between 16 and 25 you can get on various schemes but after 25 there’s virtually nothing.”
The organisation at Grant Street currently has 10 volunteer workers and seven paid staff.
Mr Burkitt said he had “failed many times” to persuade people to break the bad habits they had developed during the years they had been unemployed.
He said: “We take on volunteers but we have suffered a huge amount of failures.
“For some people, for the last five years they’ve been leading night-time lives, sleeping during the day. It’s really hard to get them back to work but its what we must try to do.
“A lot of the people we take on for 16 hours because we are aware that they can only do 16 hours. But that’s enough – having work and a routine can actually save their lives.”
Mr Burkitt’s charity helps a wide range of people. Some of this clients suffer with addictions but many others come from disadvantaged backgrounds or are vulnerable individuals who suffer from learning disabilities.
He was overjoyed this week to take on a new member of staff who previously attended Drummond School in Inverness, which cares for children with additional needs.
Gary Tyronney, 25, is being hired by the centre under a scheme called Job Scotland, for 16-25 year olds.
Mr Burkitt said: “We are delighted to take on Gary because he is a really sweet guy and it’s good for him to be getting back to work.
“We do have failures but when we succeed it’s a wonderful thing.”
