We fund science-led research that challenges and supports our understanding of suicide risk
Exploring the Science
Behind Suicide Risk.
Before our own bereavement by suicide, we were unaware of the vast and growing body of research identifying biological and physiological factors that can increase suicide risk - genetics, epigenetics, brain structure, functional brain activity, inflammation and stress systems*.
This research is not new, so we were curious to know - why was this not more widely known and why wasn’t more being done to translate what we know into real-life, preventative care?
That’s where Beyond Assumption comes in. We want to change the face of suicide prevention by:
Providing dedicated funding for the researchers and scientists carrying out this life-saving research
Making the research more accessible and widely known
Bridging the gap to real-world mental health care, to move treatment from reactive crisis response to proactive, preventative care
Brain structure
Suicide
and the
brain
Stress
systems
Genetics
Inflammation
Epi-genetics
Functional
brain activity
Terminology guide
Genetics
The ‘blueprint’. Genetic information and traits passed down from parents.
Epi-Genetics
The ‘control system’ for genetics – controls which genes are active and when. Influenced by external factors like stress, diet, toxins, early life experiences, acting as a switch that turns genes ‘on’ or ‘off’ without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
Brain structure
How different parts of the brain are connected and work together to process information and control thoughts, emotions and bodily functions
Functional brain activity
Real-time, neural processes, blood flow changes, and metabolic shifts that occur during cognitive, motor and sensory tasks
Inflammation
The ability of ongoing low-level activation of the immune system to affect the brain, interfere with mood, thinking and stress regulation
Stress systems
The way the brain, nervous system and hormones work together to detect challenges or threats and triggers physical and emotional responses
If you would like to learn more, we’ve listed some of the
research bodies and organisations conducting this vital work and linked some of the research articles we’ve found interesting.
If you are from a research organisation and are interested in partnering with Beyond Assumption and/or receiving funding, you can get in touch here.