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Welfare policies are cruel, but it's dangerous to draw a link with suicides Welfare policies are cruel, but it's dangerous to draw a link with suicides
(5 months later)
Hailing from Wales as I do, I am frequently updated with the goings on of my homeland via weekly calls from my parents, who habitually give me a rundown of who's marrying who, and – more broadly – what the latest is from our country's news stations. A few years ago my mother relayed a peculiar story to me about the county of Bridgend experiencing a sudden upsurge in its suicide rate. Between 2007 and 2009 25 people between the ages of 15 and 28 took their own lives within 10 miles of the same area, representing a fivefold increase in Bridgend's young-male suicide rate in three years. Eventually, the national media descended, and journalists competed to see who could write the most sombre depiction of the county, until eventually local parents and police said the media's fixation on the situation was making the problem worse.Hailing from Wales as I do, I am frequently updated with the goings on of my homeland via weekly calls from my parents, who habitually give me a rundown of who's marrying who, and – more broadly – what the latest is from our country's news stations. A few years ago my mother relayed a peculiar story to me about the county of Bridgend experiencing a sudden upsurge in its suicide rate. Between 2007 and 2009 25 people between the ages of 15 and 28 took their own lives within 10 miles of the same area, representing a fivefold increase in Bridgend's young-male suicide rate in three years. Eventually, the national media descended, and journalists competed to see who could write the most sombre depiction of the county, until eventually local parents and police said the media's fixation on the situation was making the problem worse.
It has been said that the incidences of suicide in Bridgend are an example of "clustering", which is the term given to a number of completed or attempted suicides which occur unexpectedly closely, both in terms of chronology and geography. Clustering can be caused by "social contagion", which is where a combination of grief and fixation upon suicide can lead to an increase in suicidal behaviour among a group who have been exposed to suicide.It has been said that the incidences of suicide in Bridgend are an example of "clustering", which is the term given to a number of completed or attempted suicides which occur unexpectedly closely, both in terms of chronology and geography. Clustering can be caused by "social contagion", which is where a combination of grief and fixation upon suicide can lead to an increase in suicidal behaviour among a group who have been exposed to suicide.
I often think about the possible "clustering" in Bridgend when I read stories about people taking their own lives after their benefits have been reduced or withdrawn. I thought about it again this week when I read about the death of Nick Barker, who took his own life shortly after losing his disability benefits. The Mirror simplistically reported loss of benefits as the definitive reason for Barker's death, and an outpouring of sorrow and eulogy followed on social media.I often think about the possible "clustering" in Bridgend when I read stories about people taking their own lives after their benefits have been reduced or withdrawn. I thought about it again this week when I read about the death of Nick Barker, who took his own life shortly after losing his disability benefits. The Mirror simplistically reported loss of benefits as the definitive reason for Barker's death, and an outpouring of sorrow and eulogy followed on social media.
I can understand why those opposed to welfare policies want to eulogise the people who take their own lives after their benefits are withdrawn. It seems so cruel, such a tragic waste of life – or worse, the result of a callous and deliberate decision by the people who are supposed to represent our needs. I can understand the urge to show that people who claim benefits are not simply headlines in the Daily Mail or social security numbers, but real human beings with hopes and dreams and loved ones. From a campaigning point of view it makes good sense to elicit empathy for those on the sharp end of benefit cuts: we're so encouraged by the press and the government to see people who claim benefits as feckless scroungers, that a sort of re-humanising process is a good way of changing that damaging narrative.I can understand why those opposed to welfare policies want to eulogise the people who take their own lives after their benefits are withdrawn. It seems so cruel, such a tragic waste of life – or worse, the result of a callous and deliberate decision by the people who are supposed to represent our needs. I can understand the urge to show that people who claim benefits are not simply headlines in the Daily Mail or social security numbers, but real human beings with hopes and dreams and loved ones. From a campaigning point of view it makes good sense to elicit empathy for those on the sharp end of benefit cuts: we're so encouraged by the press and the government to see people who claim benefits as feckless scroungers, that a sort of re-humanising process is a good way of changing that damaging narrative.
But suicide is rarely the response of one definitive factor. And there is a very real danger that by focusing upon those who take their own lives after their benefits are withdrawn, we may increase the possibility of other vulnerable people following suit. By publicly grieving for strangers who have died, we run the risk of romanticising their suicides – sending the message out to other vulnerable people that suicide is a possible solution to their own troubles, and that they too will be the subject of a public outpouring if they end their lives.But suicide is rarely the response of one definitive factor. And there is a very real danger that by focusing upon those who take their own lives after their benefits are withdrawn, we may increase the possibility of other vulnerable people following suit. By publicly grieving for strangers who have died, we run the risk of romanticising their suicides – sending the message out to other vulnerable people that suicide is a possible solution to their own troubles, and that they too will be the subject of a public outpouring if they end their lives.
Being exposed to the suicides of others can bring the time between thought and action closer together for people who are in distress. Taking your own life seems a lot easier and more accessible if you are aware that others have done it too; you've read about how they did it, and you've witnessed the mythology and grief that came as a result.Being exposed to the suicides of others can bring the time between thought and action closer together for people who are in distress. Taking your own life seems a lot easier and more accessible if you are aware that others have done it too; you've read about how they did it, and you've witnessed the mythology and grief that came as a result.
There's even evidence to support this: in its guidance to journalists, the Samaritans notes the case of a German television series, Death of a Student, which depicted the railway suicide of a young man at the start of each episode. According to the Samaritans, "a 175% rise in railway suicides occurred in young people aged 15-19 years old both during and after the series. This effect was repeated when the series was shown again some years later."There's even evidence to support this: in its guidance to journalists, the Samaritans notes the case of a German television series, Death of a Student, which depicted the railway suicide of a young man at the start of each episode. According to the Samaritans, "a 175% rise in railway suicides occurred in young people aged 15-19 years old both during and after the series. This effect was repeated when the series was shown again some years later."
I've seen the consequences of the government's cruel policies first hand, and I share the desire of campaigners to oppose them. It feels almost like a betrayal to tell people they can find ways to manage, because why should they have to manage when the system itself is so patently unfair? But the alternative is sending out a message of despair. It is saying that suicide is inevitable for those whose income is being attacked; it is implying that suicide is a viable solution to financial hardship. I want campaigners to give a message to those who are feeling hopeless as a result of welfare changes: that you don't have to struggle alone, that your family and your community can help, that things can get better. Those are the messages that will help people through times of fear and poverty. Those are the messages that help people find strength. Those are the messages that may inspire people to gain the courage to fight back.I've seen the consequences of the government's cruel policies first hand, and I share the desire of campaigners to oppose them. It feels almost like a betrayal to tell people they can find ways to manage, because why should they have to manage when the system itself is so patently unfair? But the alternative is sending out a message of despair. It is saying that suicide is inevitable for those whose income is being attacked; it is implying that suicide is a viable solution to financial hardship. I want campaigners to give a message to those who are feeling hopeless as a result of welfare changes: that you don't have to struggle alone, that your family and your community can help, that things can get better. Those are the messages that will help people through times of fear and poverty. Those are the messages that help people find strength. Those are the messages that may inspire people to gain the courage to fight back.
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