West LA Times

A recent study led by UCLA researchers has uncovered significant differences in the language used to describe male and female suicides in public health records. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, analyzed 271,998 suicides over a 17-year period in the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System. The findings show that words associated with male suicides often referenced job loss, alcohol abuse, financial stress, and unusual behavior, while those related to female suicides more frequently mentioned mood, psychological state, and mental health treatment.

Co-author Vickie Mays, a UCLA professor of psychology and health policy and management, highlighted the importance of this discovery, stating, "Many studies have shown that men are less often diagnosed with or treated for depression and other mental health issues so it’s not surprising we see fewer of those kinds of terms in the records." The study identified a specific vocabulary surrounding male suicides that could aid in identifying individuals at risk and improving public health messaging.

Susan Cochran, a professor of epidemiology at UCLA, emphasized the potential applications of this research, suggesting that the identified language could be utilized to train healthcare workers, suicide hotline staff, first responders, and other professionals to recognize and intervene with at-risk men. Cochran also pointed out the disparity in healthcare interactions between men and women, noting that women are more likely to receive routine screenings for depression during healthcare visits.

The study's findings offer a unique approach to understanding early warning signs of suicide by analyzing textual data for signals that individuals may be close to committing suicide. By leveraging this gender-specific language, healthcare providers and public health initiatives could better target interventions and support for individuals in need.

The research is part of a special issue guest-edited by Mays and Cochran, focusing on the social contexts of mental health disorders and strategies for promoting mental well-being. This new insight into the language of suicide could play a crucial role in preventing suicides and providing timely support to those at risk.