Injured workers at higher risk of suicide

Risk of suicide elevated in people with workers’ compensation claims, on long-term sick leave and receiving disability pensions.

An international study has found the risk of suicide was elevated in people with workers’ compensation claims, on long-term sick leave and receiving disability pensions.

People who are off work due to ­illness or injury are at higher risk of self-harm and ­suicide, a new study by researchers at Melbourne’s Monash ­University has found.

The international study, by the university’s school of public health and preventive medicine, found the risk of suicide was ­elevated in people with workers’ compensation claims, on long-term sick leave and receiving ­disability pensions.

The researchers collated findings from 47 studies published over two decades from 16 countries to examine the relationship between a disabling work injury or illness, and later suicide or self-harm.

Lead researcher Alex Collie said 44 of the studies found people with work injury or illness were at greater risk of ­suicide or self-harm.

“The size of that relationship is really big in some of these groups, so we are talking for some of these studies up to eight, nine, 10 times the risk of suicide in people with long periods of time off work,” Professor Collie said.

“They are not just at slightly higher risk, they are much, much higher risk than people who are still working. Some of these findings are pretty dramatic in terms of an increased risk of suicide later in life.”

Only one study showed a protective relationship and two showed no relationship. “Looking across all of this evidence, we found a number of things that increase the risk of ­suicide, such as being off work for a long time, younger age, living alone, having a history of poor health or a mental health condition.”

People who had very long ­periods off work were at much higher risk. Being out of work with injury or illness for weeks, months or years was linked with a significantly increased risk of ­suicide and self-harm.

“But time away from work doesn’t necessarily reflect the ­severity of injury or illness,” Professor Collie said. “It may also indicate that the person has received poor-quality medical treatment, has delayed seeking help, or has other behaviours that can affect recovery such as substance misuse.”

He said the study came about because after 15 to 20 years of working in the field of workers’ compensation and work, health and safety “I have spoken to a lot of people who have been through long-term work injuries”.

“Some of the stories I hear of people’s experiences are pretty confronting,” he said. “It’s not unusual for people to say they have had thoughts of taking their own life, or some have attempted to take their own life.”

The review’s authors suggest that programs and services designed to reduce the duration of time off work may also reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm.

“When it comes to reducing time off work, we know what good interventions look like,” Professor Collie said.

“This review adds another dimension, and suggests by supporting sick and injured workers to return to work, we may also be able to reduce the risk of suicide.

“Suicide prevention should not be left just to the healthcare system. We have opportunities through systems that support sick and injured workers, like workers’ compensation and social security, to identify people who are at higher risk and to ­provide supports and services that reduce those risks.”

The researchers identified some large gaps in the research literature. Only two Australian studies were identified, and there were no studies of suicide prevention interventions.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14