CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses suicidal feelings
The study which was published in 2024 was led by researchers at the Anne Rowling Clinic, in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia.
The following summary is provided by Dr Riccardo Sacripante, FDavid Gillespie, Dr Peter Foley, and the FutureMS Consortium
Average reading time: 3 minutes
Being diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) is often a life-changing moment. Many people face uncertainty about the future. It’s natural that such a diagnosis can feel overwhelming.
Mental health challenges, such as depression or difficulties adjusting, are very common after receiving an MS diagnosis. These can reduce quality of life and sometimes lead people to think about, or even attempt, ending their lives. No study had looked specifically at thoughts about suicide or self-harm in people during the first months after receiving MS diagnosis.
To address this gap, we used information from the FutureMS study, which recruited 440 people newly diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS across Scotland in 2016. People in that study supplied information about their mood, including thoughts about suicide or self-harm, their quality of life, and their daily functioning. We collected these data soon after diagnosis, and then again one year later.
Here’s what we found:
Soon after diagnosis: About 1 in 8 people reported having thoughts about suicide and self-harm. These individuals often also experienced higher levels of disability, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and difficulties with bladder or muscle spasms.
One year later: About 1 in 10 people still reported suicidal thoughts. This is similar to our findings soon after diagnosis. For those whose suicidal thoughts worsened over the year, unemployment, ongoing depression, anxiety, fatigue, and greater disability were common.
What does this tell us? Thoughts about suicide and self-harm after an MS diagnosis are not rare. They can affect people even if they have only mild depression, and for some, these thoughts may persist or worsen over time. This highlights the importance of carefully monitoring mental health in people newly diagnosed with MS.
It is also important to remember that thoughts about suicide and self-harm are complex and may not be fully captured by short questionnaires. That is why healthcare professionals should create opportunities to talk openly about mental health.
Take-home message: An MS diagnosis is not just about physical health—it deeply affects mental and emotional wellbeing too. Focused support may help people with MS feel less alone and more hopeful about their future.
If you have been affected by this news article, or are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. Support is available:
- Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit the Samaritans website
- Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide - call their 24/7 HOPELINE 0800 068 41 41 or visit Papyrus HOPELINE
- NHS 111 – For urgent mental health help, dial 111, Option 2 (24/7 in most areas)
- In an emergency, always dial 999
Relevant links
FutureMS scientific publications page
Dr Riccardo Sacripante (ResearchGate profile - an external website)
Image credit: [Mikolette] via GettyImages