The Power of Caring Letters: A Simple Act with Lifesaving Potential
In the face of rising suicide rates, a leading cause of death globally, a powerful yet straightforward intervention has been discovered: caring letters. Sending regular letters from a caring individual to people at risk of suicide can help them feel connected and remind them that they are cared for, which is crucial in preventing suicide.
In a study conducted between 1969 and 1974 in San Francisco, psychiatric hospitals admitted over 3,000 people for depression or suicidal tendencies. Psychiatrist Jerome Motto and statistician Alan Bostrom spearheaded an initiative where some 843 of these patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups after they were discharged from the hospital.
In what was designated as the “contact group”, patients received periodic handwritten letters from a healthcare professional who had earlier interviewed them. These letters were not medical in nature, but rather expressed concern, care, and a desire to stay in contact. An example of the message was:
“Dear John,
It has been some time since you were here at the hospital, and we hope things are going well for you. If you wish to drop us a note, we would be glad to hear from you.
Best,
Susan”
Patients in the contact group received eight letters in the first year and four letters each year for the next four years, totaling 24 letters over five years. On the other hand, patients in the control group did not receive any letters.
The impact of these caring letters was profound. Two years after leaving the hospital, the time when at-risk patients are most likely to commit suicide, only 1.80% of patients in the contact group had committed suicide, compared to 3.52% of patients in the control group. Furthermore, even 13 years after hospital discharge, patients who had received letters from the hospital still had lower rates of suicide than those who had not.
Why does this work? The hypothesis is that receiving regular letters expressing care and concern helps individuals feel connected to others, a feeling that can be especially important during dark times. About a quarter of patients in the contact group sent back messages of gratitude, expressing how much the letters meant to them.
Perhaps most interestingly, this approach is particularly effective for people who are resistant to traditional medical treatment, often due to the stigma associated with mental illness. By communicating care and concern and creating a sense of social connection without demanding anything in return, caring letters can help these individuals survive the critical period following a psychiatric crisis, when they are most likely to take their own lives.
In conclusion, caring letters are a simple, low-cost intervention that can make a significant difference in the lives of those at risk of suicide. They offer a promising approach for healthcare providers and communities at large to help save lives and combat the global challenge of suicide.
Sources: https://sparq.stanford.edu/solutions/caring-letters-prevent-suicide
This a very good documentary. I had no idea who he is, but he is now a hero of mine :)
