ABSTRACT
In the UK today, the prevailing response to people who are suicidal is based on the belief that an expression of suicidal thoughts or feelings is a symptom or indication of mental illness or is in itself mad. Of course, broadly speaking, emotional, psychological, and mental health difficulties play a huge part in suicide but according to the Samaritans’ latest strategy document (2015) only 4 per cent of those who have mental health problems die from suicide. In 2003 Richard Leyard, a health economist, was appointed by the government to investigate the economics of mental health treatment. His results were understandably shocking—he quotes a lot of numbers—for example, depression is 50 per cent more disabling than angina, arthritis, or diabetes; 90 per cent of those who are suicidal get minimum treatment but 100 per cent of those with heart disease get some medical attention,.
