Blokeology

Episode Notes Professor Rory O'Connor is the Director of the Suicide Behaviour Research Laboratory in Glasgow and one of the world's leading experts on tackling suicide. Suicide is a complex topic with no easy answers but it affects everyone and the research shows that men are three times as likely to kill themselves as women. We talk about his model of suicidal behaviour, factors that can turn suicidal ideation into action, and interventions that could save a life. Many people who develop suicidal ideation feel entrapped and defeated with a 'tunnel vision'. There are eight main factors, ones that I wasn't taught at medical school, that healthcare professionals can ask about to assess if ideation can turn to action. If you are working in those situations then get to know them - they are a good example of how it can takes 10-15 years or more for research to get into clinical practice. And for everyone, not just those working in healthcare services, there are plenty of thoughts on how we can help ourselves, ou