Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer

@Siobhan_ODwyer

Research on carers / caregivers, suicide, homicide. Associate Professor @unibirmingingham. Making art from science. Australian in the UK. Always swimming.

Exeter & Birmingham, UK

Joined April 2012

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5KFollowers

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jul 19, 2024

"It’s hard to explain to people: you can love your child & want the best for them, but also be so overwhelmed you want to die" With 40% of parent carers contemplating suicide, the time is NOW to fix the system failing disabled children & their families. birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/more…

Siobhan_ODwyer's tweet image. "It’s hard to explain to people: you can love your child &amp; want the best for them, but also be so overwhelmed you want to die"

With 40% of parent carers contemplating suicide, the time is NOW to fix the system failing disabled children &amp; their families.

birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/more…

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jul 22

Our research shows that forcing parent carers to battle for support - & subjecting them to unsubstantiated accusations of neglect, abuse, or FII - puts them at risk of suicide & homicide. It's time to fix the system and stop blaming #ParentCarers!! thetimes.com/life-style/par…

Siobhan_ODwyer's tweet card. Some of society’s most vulnerable are being torn from their families by officials who claim their parents are fabricating illness

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jul 17

NEW📕 Page 32 “What national policy initiatives could make a positive difference to unpaid carers? 98%: paid leave would have a significant positive benefit Directors similarly enthusiastic: fully funded national carers strategy, or expanded eligibility for Carers’ Allowance.”

AADASS@1adass · Jul 15

Michael Chard reflects on the findings of our annual survey of Directors of Adult Social Services, which was published today, in his latest blog.👇 adass.org.uk/the-narrative-… #SpringSurvey2025 #CareCantWait

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jul 15

If you only read one book this year... I had the privilege of reading an early draft of Sam's book & I was completely absorbed from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried & I felt Sam's struggle in my bones. A brilliant, heart-breaking & hopeful account of being a parent carer.

SSam Bowen@makedoandSEND · Jul 8

The ebook version of my memoir The Phoenix and the Unicorn is available to pre-order now on @amazon An honest, unflinching and darkly humorous account of becoming a #SEND parent and the transformative journey Lucy and I have been on. Please share 🙏 amzn.eu/d/6rLZkTW

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer Retweeted

Sam Bowen@makedoandSEND · Jul 8

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jul 15

Are you a young person who's lived in foster care, residential care, or kinship care? This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on how care leavers are involved in research.

Siobhan_ODwyer's tweet image. Are you a young person who's lived in foster care, residential care, or kinship care?

This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on how care leavers are involved in research.

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jun 17

When a family caregiver kills the person they've been caring for, it's often described as "an isolated tragedy that couldn't have been predicted or prevented." But our new research shows this simply isn't true. TW: mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/6… #UnpaidCarers #Caregivers #OpenAccess

Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jun 17

When an unpaid carer kills the person they've been caring for, it's often described as "an isolated tragedy that couldn't have been predicted or prevented." But our new research shows this simply isn't true. TW: mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/6… #UnpaidCarers #Caregivers #OpenAccess

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · May 8

Excellent to see @johnmcdonnellMP highlighting our research in yesterday's Parliamentary Debate on the proposed cuts to PIP. I agree with John that these cuts will push more carers to the point of suicide. @UKLabour must do better for disabled people & their families!

Siobhan_ODwyer's tweet image. Excellent to see @johnmcdonnellMP highlighting our research in yesterday's Parliamentary Debate on the proposed cuts to PIP.

I agree with John that these cuts will push more carers to the point of suicide. @UKLabour must do better for disabled people &amp; their families!

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer Retweeted

Carers Trust@CarersTrust · Mar 26

Removing someone’s PIP may mean the person who cares for them loses carers allowance. This could be a hammer blow for household finances up and down the country. Disabled people and their carers need more support, not less. Full article: bit.ly/4hTEt7i

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Mar 26

Last year I met with several Labour MPs to share the evidence on #Suicide risk in #UnpaidCarers. They know the toll #BenefitCuts will have on carers & they're making them anyway. A heartless act by a party that used to pride itself on supporting the vulnerable.

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Mar 26

Excellent piece by @DrFrancesRyan on the impact of benefit cuts on unpaid carers. Carers are already a high-risk group for suicide, and approx. 13 homicide-suicides each year involve a disabled person & their carer. Benefit cuts will cause more deaths. theguardian.com/society/2025/m…

Siobhan_ODwyer's tweet card. Three people tell how knock-on impact of losing Pip on carer’s allowance and other benefits will affect their families

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Feb 13

Looking for a funded PhD opportunity in social care? Look no further!! findaphd.com/phds/project/a…

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer Retweeted

BornattheRighttime@BornatRightTime · Feb 1

We tackled the tricky, but crucially important topic of parent carer suicide. We know many in our community feel alone, and we don’t want you to feel this way. Please seek help and support - Samaritans TEL - 116 123 We also had a more light hearted - trauma tap out on Friday.

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Feb 4

Important new research on suicide deaths in dementia has recently been published. My commentary explores the valuable contributions this research makes and highlights directions for the future. intpsychogeriatrics.org/article/S1041-…

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer@Siobhan_ODwyer · Jan 23

Thank-you to @CETurner1975 & the wonderful team at @CarersLeeds for hosting me this week. In terms of preventing deaths by suicide & homicide, Carers Leeds are leading the pack. It's a privilege to be working with them to support carers in crisis.

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Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer Retweeted

@ExChangeWales@exchangewales · Jan 22

This webinar is happening next week - don't miss out: "Understanding suicide risk in parents caring for disabled children" 📅 Weds 29th January ⏰ 1 - 2pm 🗣️ Dr @Siobhan_ODwyer & Dr @DanBurrows1980 Sign up: cardiff.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #WelshResearch #SocialCare @CAREResearch_W

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