People who take time off work due to injury or illness are at a higher risk of suicide or intentional self-harm, an international study by Monash University has found.
The study by the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine researchers collated findings from 47 studies published over 20 years from 16 countries, closely examining the relationship between disabling work injury or illness and later suicide or self-harm.
Lead researcher Prof Alex Collie said the research suggested there was a need for governments and employers to identify workers at the greatest risk of suicide and put more effort into suicide prevention.
“We found consistent evidence of a link between being off work sick or injured and later suicide,” Professor Collie said.
“We see this link in many countries and in people with different types of health conditions.”
44 out of the 47 studies collated found that people with workplace injuries or illnesses were at a heightened risk of suicide or self-harm, with only one study showing a protective relationship and two showing no relationship at all.
The study’s authors suggested that programs and services designed to reduce the length of time off work could also reduce the risk of self–harm.
“When it comes to reducing time off work, we know what good interventions look like,” Professor Collie said.
“This review adds another dimension, and suggests by supporting sick and injured workers to return to work, we may also be able to reduce the risk of suicide.”
Gaps in the study were identified, including only two Australian studies being collated.
