Year: 2021 Source: Advances in Mental Health. (2021). Published online 15 September 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/18387357.2021.1977666 SIEC No: 20210711

Objective

This rapid review aimed to understand the rates of suicidal ideation and behaviours in men who are separated from intimate relationships, the co-occurrence of risk factors, and the effectiveness of suicide prevention interventions for them in order to inform future suicide prevention efforts.

Method

The review method followed a streamlined systematic review process which facilitates an expedited review of the evidence related to the review questions. We searched three academic databases (Cochrane, Medline and PsycINFO) for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2019 in English using keywords related to men who are separated from an intimate relationship; suicidal thoughts, attempts and deaths; suicide rates; and suicide prevention interventions.

Results

Four systematic reviews and 22 papers featuring primary studies were included in the review relating to suicide rates and risk. No papers were identified relating to the effectiveness of suicide prevention interventions for this group. The evidence base was rated as good. The findings suggest that men who are separated from an intimate relationship are at higher risk of suicide.

Discussion

The review identified an increased risk of suicide among men who are separated, but no evidence about the effectiveness of suicide prevention interventions for them. More work is needed to unpack the interplay between personal and sociodemographic factors and the risk of suicide for separated men in order to inform suicide prevention efforts with these men.