Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Gambling problems have often not been considered a major problem among young adults due to age restrictions and access issues. New research conducted by the University of Glasgow has found an elevation in hardships with gambling that is associated with an increased risk of suicide in young adults.
‘Changes in severity of problem gambling and subsequent suicide attempts: a longitudinal survey of young adults in Great Britain, 2018–20’ demonstrates that in the period of a year, young adults between 16-24 years old experiencing a rise in severity of gambling harms had a 2.74 times more chance of attempting suicide in comparison to those whose gambling was unchanged.
The results were shared in an article appearing in The Lancet Public Health. The study, received its funds from the Wellcome Trust, which was led by Dr Heather Wardle, University of Glasgow, together with Sally McManus, City, University of London.
The study was described as significant and unique as it tracked the same group of young people over time, noting alterations in their gambling and suicide-related behaviors. This demonstrated that any elevation in negative experiences linked with gambling is associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts. Gambling behavior is dynamic and any leap in the experience of harms, irrespective of an individual’s initial point, can be a significant risk-factor for increased suicidality as indicated in the study.
“This study adds to our understanding of the link between problem gambling and suicide, particularly in young people. We have seen warnings about gambling and tragic personal stories bravely told in public, but inevitably it takes longer to get the high quality evidence we need for prevention. Now, that evidence is coming through. It is timely too – the Government has announced a new national suicide prevention strategy and problem gambling is certain to feature,” explained Sir Louis Appleby who is Professor of Psychiatry from the University of Manchester as well as Chair of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group.
