Suicide in Polish migrants to Scotland

Abstract

Abstract Background and Methods Suicide amongst the 91,000 Polish nationals living in Scotland has been identified as a concern by the Polish Consulate. The adult suicide rate in Poland is 20.8 / 100,000 EASR population (Eurostat Suicide and Undetermined combined 2012-15). This is significantly higher than the 2012-16 Scottish level of 14.1 / 100,000 National Records of Scotland (NRS). We set out to establish the picture for Polish migrants in Scotland and for 2012-16: ascertained the number of such deaths from National Records of Scotland (NRS) describing the epidemiological features; andreviewed Crown Office files of each person - extracting key information from police and pathology reports. Results There were 68 suicide deaths in the 60 months. We estimated the European age standardised suicide rate (EASR) for all Polish residents in Scotland as 21.6 / 100,000 (95% CI 13.4 - 31.4) a suicide rate consistent with Poland not Scotland. The male:female ratio of 5.8:1 also mirrors Poland (vs. Scotland’s 3:1 ratio). Polish men have a significantly higher rate than Scottish men - 31.5 vs 19.4 / 100,000. The suicide rates of Polish and Scottish women are very similar (5.4 vs 7.3 / 100,000 respectively). Crown Office Records A key finding is how similar the circumstances surrounding suicide deaths in both Polish and Scottish people are. In particular unemployment /irregular work, shift and manual work, relationship problems and alcohol use are all common. For Polish people in Scotland the challenges and stresses of the ’migrant experience’ are superimposed onto other life events. Difficulties working in an English-speaking environment (and being unable to discuss emotional health), not knowing about the NHS Scottish public services and the lack of family and community networks to offer social support are all common. Conclusions Actions are at four levels: National- the suicide action planEmployersNHS - staff awareness and monitoring trendsPolish community groups Key messages Polish migrants to Scotland have a much higher rate of suicide than Scottish people - consistent with that in Poland. Addressing suicide requires examining factors in migrant and ethnic minority groups.