Why Breakups Can Increase Suicide Risk Among Men

Content Warning – Mentions of sucide and self harm

A major review of research from around the world has found that men face an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and death by suicide following the end of a romantic relationship, with the highest risk occurring shortly after separation.

Why breakups can affect men’s mental health

Romantic relationships can provide important emotional support, security and a sense of belonging. When a relationship ends, the sudden loss of this support can contribute to loneliness, distress and social isolation.

For some men, traditional expectations around masculinity may make it more difficult to cope with this distress or seek help. Expectations around self-reliance and emotional restraint can limit opportunities to discuss difficult emotions, while some men may rely heavily on their partners for emotional support.

A new systematic review and meta-analysis, published in Psychological Bulletin, examined how the end of a relationship affects suicidal behaviour among men and which groups may be particularly vulnerable.

What did the study find?

Researchers from the University of Melbourne and Orygen in Australia reviewed 75 studies covering 30 countries and more than 100 million men. Of these, 29 studies contained sufficient data to be included in statistical analyses.

The researchers found that separated or divorced men had higher odds of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and death by suicide compared with married men.

Divorced men had 1.64 times the odds of experiencing suicidal thoughts and 1.73 times the odds of attempting suicide compared with married men. The difference was even greater for suicide deaths, with divorced men having 2.82 times the odds of dying by suicide.

The risk was particularly high among younger men. Separated men aged 34 and under had more than eight times the odds of suicide compared with married men of the same age.

The period immediately after a breakup may be particularly important

The timing of a relationship breakdown also appeared to influence risk. Men who were separated had almost twice the odds of suicide compared with men whose divorces had already been finalised.

This suggests that the period immediately following a relationship breakdown may represent a particularly vulnerable time. As time passes, the acute distress associated with the separation may lessen, potentially reducing the risk.

The researchers also found differences between countries and social groups. Divorced men in Asian countries showed higher odds of suicide than those in Western countries. Lower levels of education and unemployment were also associated with greater vulnerability.

Loneliness and loss of support

Across the studies reviewed, feelings of shame, loneliness and the loss of social networks were common themes. In some cases, relationship breakdown appeared to act as a major stressor alongside existing mental health difficulties or substance use, potentially increasing emotional distress.

These findings highlight the importance of considering the wider social impact of relationship breakdown, particularly for men who may have limited emotional support outside of their romantic relationship.

What are the gaps in the research?

The researchers note that much of the existing evidence focuses on legal separation and divorce. There is considerably less research into the effects of non-marital breakups, including the end of long-term relationships or cohabiting partnerships.

The studies also varied considerably in their methods and in the demographic information they reported, making it difficult to identify which groups may be at greatest risk.

Future research could examine different types of relationship breakdown more consistently and explore why some men experiencing suicidal thoughts go on to attempt suicide, while others do not.

Overall, the findings suggest that the end of a relationship can represent a significant period of vulnerability for men. Identifying those at greatest risk and ensuring support is available during the immediate aftermath of a breakup could be important in helping to prevent suicidal crises.

Research into suicide prevention is a key area of focus for MQ. Through our Gone Too Soon programme, we have brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers and people with lived experience to better understand and prevent premature deaths linked to mental illness and mental distress, including suicide. The programme has also supported research through MQ Fellowships, with a focus on identifying the factors behind early mortality and developing evidence-based solutions to help save lives.