#57 Suicide - Myths, Muslims & Mental Health | Prof Rory O’Connor | World Expert on Suicide Research

The MuslimCentric Podcast

*NOTE - This episode discusses suicide. If you are affected by suicide or are worried about someone, please see the links at the end of these show notes*

Muslims die by suicide too.

This may be an uncomfortable reality for many within religious communities but is an important issue for us to discuss. Research suggests that discussing suicide does not make it more likely but may actually help people get the right support.

My guest is Professor Rory O’Connor, a Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Glasgow who has been working on suicide research for over 25 years. As the head of the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory at the University of Glasgow, President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and Past President of the International Academy of Suicide Research, Professor Rory brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation.

As well as contributing to BBC documentaries on the subject, his award-winning book “When it is darkest: Why people die by suicide and what we can do to prevent it” addresses the common questions, myths and misunderstandings surrounding suicide.

In this interview, Professor Rory not only shares leading research on the topic but also opens up about his personal experiences of losing people to suicide. This episode aims to foster understanding, dispel myths, and encourage dialogue around a critical issue affecting communities worldwide.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to talk about suicide
• Why Rory wrote the book
• Patterns of suicide throughout our lifetime
• Suicide in men
• Importance of sleep
• Understanding deliberate self-harm and suicide
• Coping with the loss of a loved one
• The unpredictability of grief
• Why people die by suicide – the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model
• Advice if you have suicidal thoughts
• Social media and news guidelines
• Faith, religiosity and suicide
• Suicide in Muslim countries and around the world
• Is suicide preventable?
• Helping those who are suicidal
• What are the signs someone may be suicidal?
• Developing a safety plan
• A Muslim parent’s story of losing his child by suicide

USEFUL LINKS

- Watch this episode on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/muslimcentric

- Professor Rory O’Connor

https://twitter.com/suicideresearch

https://suicideresearch.info/

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/healthwellbeing/staff/roryoconnor/

https://www.instagram.com/oconnor_roryc

Trustee & Podcast Host, MQ Mental Health Research

https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/category/mq-open-mind-podcast/

President, International Association for Suicide Prevention

https://www.iasp.info/our_team/rory-oconnor/

Past President, International Academy for Suicide Research

https://suicide-research.org/

- Book

When it is darkest: Why people die by suicide and what we can do to prevent it

Professor Rory O’Connor

https://amzn.eu/d/deKVide

- Article

A Muslim parent’s story of losing his child by suicide

https://inayatscorner.wordpress.com/2021/07/15/goodbye-to-my-dear-son-adam-salih/

https://inayatscorner.wordpress.com/2022/07/06/my-son-adam-suicide-one-year-on/

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**GETTING HELP IF YOU ARE SUICIDAL**

Support is available. Inshallah things will get better so do not feel you have nowhere to turn. Here are some options to consider.

1-Call or text a helpline

Supports in UK – Note services may vary depending on where you live

- Samaritans: For everyone

Call 116 123

Email [e-mail]

- Muslim Youth Helpline: Faith and culturally sensitive support by phone, live chat, WhatsApp or email. We offer non-judgemental, confidential support 7 days a week, 365 days a year including bank holidays and Eid.

https://myh.org.uk/

- Papyrus: Prevention of young suicide HOPELINE247

Call 0800 068 41 41

Text 07860 039967

Email [e-mail]

- Shout Crisis Text Line: For everyone

Text "SHOUT" to 85258

- YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: For people under 19

Text "YM" to 85258

- Worldwide: Please contact support in your country.

Find A Helpline - International Association for Suicide Prevention

https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp

https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/

2-Talk to someone you trust

This could be a friend or family member.

3-Contact a health professional

In the UK, you can,

Call your GP

Call the NHS 111 or 999 if it is an emergency