Suicide and National Crisis: Workshop 2019

About the workshop

Drawing on historical and contemporary perspectives, this workshop, which took place from 12.15pm – 6.00pm on 27 March 2019, addressed the social, psychological and political fallout from the ongoing and accelerating crisis related to Brexit and austerity politics more broadly, amidst growing concern about national and individual mental health, and a spike in suicides related to our socio-political circumstances.

The workshop was an opportunity to reflect on the key findings and the core research questions raised by Julie Gottlieb’s Wellcome Trust Seed-funded project ‘Suicide, Society and Crisis’. It also provided the opportunity to reflect on ways to address the implications of these pressing and salient issues through attention to public policy.

We particularly encouraged the involvement of PhD students and ECRs, for whom there was a travel budget to contribute to expenses within the UK.

Timetable

The timetable for the afternoon:

12.15 – 1.15pm: Arrivals and Lunch

1.15 – 2.30pm: Panel 1

Hannah Parker, Stephanie Wright, Ryosuke Yokoe (all University of Sheffield): Introductory Remarks

Julie Gottlieb (University of Sheffield): The ‘War of Nerves’ and the war-fear triggered suicides in Britain, 1938-39

Kate McAllister (University of Sheffield): ‘Parity, Policy, and the Past: using history in current health policy development.’

2.45 – 4.00pm: Panel 2

Jon Coburn (University of Newcastle): Suicide, Protest, and Civilian Mental Health during the Vietnam War

Sarah Waters (University of Leeds): Work suicides. Reflections on a rising international phenomenon

Simon Walker (University of Strathclyde): Discovering the Hidden Narratives on British Soldiers Suicides in the First World War.

4.15 – 6.00pm: Roundtable

Chris Millard (University of Sheffield)

Kate McAllister (University of Sheffield)

China Mills (City, University of London)

Julie Gottlieb (University of Sheffield)

Kevin Yuill (University of Sunderland)

6.00pm: Close – Drinks at the Bath Hotel