Changing the narrative on suicide, with alcohol in focus

10.09.2025 - Today, 10 September, is World Suicide Prevention Day, led globally by the International Association for Suicide Prevention. The 2025 theme is Changing the Narrative on Suicide, which encourages individuals, communities, organisations and governments to start open and honest conversations, reduce stigma, and build cultures of understanding and support.

Why should we highlight alcohol?

Alcohol is a major, preventable risk factor for suicidal behaviour. Evidence summaries and fact sheets report that acute intoxication can increase the likelihood of suicidal behaviour up to sevenfold and is estimated to be present in roughly a third of suicide attempts. Alcohol use disorder is consistently linked with substantially higher risks of suicidal thoughts, attempts and deaths. Mechanisms include reduced inhibition, impaired judgment, increased impulsivity and mood changes, all of which can turn a crisis into an action.

Recent research and national analyses reinforce the picture. A study using Korea’s national suicide database examined decedents and found acute alcohol use was strongly associated with risk factors for suicide, including method choice and demographic patterns. Population-level reviews show that when societies reduce harmful alcohol use, suicidal behaviour often falls.

Changing the narrative, in practice

Changing the narrative does not mean minimising distress. It means replacing the learned habit of “drinking to cope” with responses that actually help. Public health messages should be clear that alcohol is not a coping strategy, and services should integrate alcohol screening and support into mental health care. The New Zealand Public Health Communication Centre summarises the evidence plainly, noting growing causal evidence linking alcohol and suicide and calling for population strategies that reduce alcohol use.

Policy also matters. A systematic review of policy “natural experiments” found that alcohol policies which reduce availability or raise price are associated with lower suicide rates across different regions. These findings support viewing alcohol policy as part of suicide prevention, alongside clinical and community measures.

What we can do?

• Clear public communication that alcohol can worsen a crisis and raise suicide risk, paired with practical alternatives and support.

• Routine identification and brief intervention for alcohol problems in mental health and primary care settings.

• Population measures that reduce harmful use, including pricing, availability and marketing restrictions, evaluated for suicide-related outcomes.
  

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help now. IASP signposts to services through findahelpline.com, and local crisis lines operate across our region. Every conversation can move us toward safety and support.