Barriers to Help-Seeking in Suicidal Men: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Background: The incidence of suicide in the United Kingdom is at its lowest since 1981 though the number remains catastrophic (Office for National Statistics, 2018). In particular, high rates of male suicidality causes a level of controversy, suggesting inadequate health service provisions and on an individual level, poor help-seeking (Macdonald, 2011; Möller-Leimkühler, 2003). Research has suggested that two thirds of males who had died by suicide had not been in contact with a mental health service (Luoma, Martin & Pearson, 2002; Owens, Booth, Briscoe, Lawrence & Lloyd, 2003). Studies have also identified the homogenous difficulties males experience when accessing the required care for suicidal ideation (Foster & Wu, 2002). The current review aimed to provide an overview of the research in this area, pertaining to the barriers to help-seeking in men experiencing suicidal ideation. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed on Web of Science and PsychInfo using truncations of the terms (help-seek*, behaviour*, suicid*, male*). Results: Of the 522 articles identified 7 papers were eligible for review. All of the papers provided qualitative findings. A synthesis of the data identified four reoccurring themes: masculinity, stigma, self-medicating and mislabelling pathology and four sub themes: social humiliation and self-humiliation, incorrect identification and false rejections by clinicians. The current literature, though entirely qualitative and somewhat homogeneous, revealed that males with suicidality when help-seeking experience specific barriers. Conclusion: Although the available literature has provided themes for study on how self and societal appraisals may impact help-seeking behaviours in males, comparative quantitative and longitudinal studies are required imminently to increase understanding and approach this health crisis effectively.