Suicide and Reputation Damage

Abstract

Aim: This paper uses the public record to explore the relationship between reputation damage and suicide. Method: The public record of the last 20 years was examined for examples of individuals without evidence of mental disorder who suffered actual or threatened reputation damage and suicided shortly thereafter. Results: Fifteen individual cases were identified; 18 additional cases, less comprehensively detailed, were mentioned in reports of The Wood Royal Commission and Operation Auxin. All cases were male. Of the 15 individual cases, the average age was 55 years, with a range of 40 to 76 years. The available details of the 18 additional cases were consistent with these findings. Conclusion: Middle-aged males without clear evidence of mental disorder, who suffer actual or threatened reputation damage, may be at increased risk of suicide. Naming and shaming needs to be conducted with caution.