62-The Deadly Connection Between Intimate Partner Violence and Suicide Risk With Jessica Maerz

1 in 3

The devastating intersection between suicide and domestic violence remains largely hidden, yet the statistics tell a shocking story. In this deeply important conversation, LCSW Jessica reveals that one in three women who attempted suicide in the past year were recent victims of intimate partner violence.
Drawing from her years of experience working with suicidal individuals, Jessica unpacks how the risk factors for suicide directly mirror the experiences of domestic violence victims. The isolation, hopelessness, and psychosocial stressors created by abusive relationships establish perfect conditions for suicidal thoughts to take hold. Most alarmingly, research shows the window between having suicidal thoughts and taking action can be as brief as five minutes to one hour.
We explore the generational impacts as well, discovering disturbing international data showing children who witness domestic violence face significantly higher suicide risks. In the U.S., one in fifteen children are exposed to intimate partner violence annually, with 90% being eyewitnesses to abuse.
This episode provides crucial information about recognizing warning signs, creating effective safety plans, and understanding what happens during crisis intervention. Jessica emphasizes the importance of direct communication, explaining that asking someone specifically about suicidal thoughts doesn't plant the idea – it opens the door for life-saving conversation.
Remember the crisis line number: 988.

References:

Suicide and intimate partner violence

New study explores intimate partner violence as precursor to suicide - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, April 11 2022 discussed this study: Intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration as precursors to suicide - ScienceDirect

Intimate partner violence, suicidality, and self-harm: a probability sample survey of the general population in England - PMC Lancet Psychiatry, 2022 Jul; 9(7)

Scale of homicide and suicides by domestic abuse victims revealed content

Resources:

Homepage | Zero Suicide

Tools for Addressing Intimate Partner Violence and Suicide Risk: Lessons Learned from OHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Response for Suicide Prevention Grant

1 in 3 is intended for mature audiences. Episodes contain explicit content and may be triggering to some.

Support the show

If you are in the United States and need help right now, call the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 or text the word “start” to 88788.
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Cover art by Laura Swift Dahlke
Music by Tim Crowe

Chapters

1. Introduction to Suicide and IPV (00:00:00)

2. Risk Factors and Statistics (00:04:25)

3. Impacts of Isolation on Victims (00:09:33)

4. Children, Witnessing Violence, and Suicide (00:15:49)

5. Warning Signs and Safety Planning (00:31:44)

6. Crisis Response and Getting Help (00:38:59)

7. Time-Critical Nature and Key Takeaways (00:45:28)