Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Suicide ideation in older adults: relationship to mental health problems and service use
- Authors:
- CORNA Laurie M., CAIRNEY John, STREINER David L.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 50(6), December 2010, pp.785-797.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of suicide ideation among community-dwelling older adults and the relationship between suicide ideation, major psychiatric disorder, and mental health service use. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 1.2: Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS 1.2) for all adults aged 55 years and over was used to estimate the prevalence of suicide ideation and the prevalence of major psychiatric disorder and service use among ideators versus nonideators. Using multivariate models, the study considered the sociodemographic, social, and mental health correlates of suicide ideation and mental health care use. The results showed that more than 2% of older adults reported suicide ideation in the past year and more than two thirds of these respondents did not meet the criteria for any of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders assessed in the CCHS 1.2. In multivariate models, being male, younger, or widowed, reporting lower social support and higher psychological distress increased the likelihood of suicide ideation. More than 50% of the respondents who reported suicidal thoughts did not access any type of mental health care use. The article concludes that, although suicide ideation is associated with depression and anxiety disorders, many older adults with suicidal thoughts do not meet the criteria for these clinical disorders.
Mental health and firearms in community-based surveys: implications for suicide prevention
- Authors:
- SORENSON Susan B., VITTES Katherine A.
- Journal article citation:
- Evaluation Review, 32(3), June 2008, pp.239-256.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Suicide rates in the United States are higher among those who own or live in a household with a hand gun. This article examines the association between hand gun ownership and mental health, another risk factor for suicide. Data from the General Social Survey, a series of surveys of U.S. adults, are analyzed to compare general emotional and mental health, sadness and depression, functional mental health, and mental health help seeking among gun owners, persons who do not own but live in a household with a gun, and those who do not own a gun. After taking into account a few basic demographic characteristics associated with both variables, there appears to be no association between mental health and gun ownership. Nor is there any association between mental health and living in a household with a firearm. Findings suggest that the high risk of suicide among those who own or live in a household with a gun is not related to poor mental health. Implications for prevention are discussed.
The national confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness: lessons for mental health care in Scotland
- Authors:
- APPLEBY Louis, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Manchester
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 160p.
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
This report by the National Confidential Inquiry examines the details of individual cases of suicide and homicide by people with mental illness. In the time covered by the report (six years for suicides, five years for homicides) there were around 5,000 suicides and around 500 homicides in Scotland. However, the Inquiry found that only 28% of the people who died by suicide and 12% of those who committed a homicide had recently been mental health patients. The report highlights the key areas of clinical practice where improvement is needed and suggests what changes could be made. Two points are emphasised. One is the low risk to the general public from mental health patients; the other is that people who need mental health care are at times imprisoned by the courts. Recommendations are made.
The national confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness: lessons for mental health care in Scotland
- Authors:
- APPLEBY Louis, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Manchester
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 9p.
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
A summary of a report by the National Confidential Inquiry examines the details of individual cases of suicide and homicide by people with mental illness. Scotland has high rates of both suicide and homicide, in the general population and in patients. The report highlights the key areas of clinical practice, and includes suggestions to strengthen training and services for the management of drug and alcohol misuse.
Clustering of suicides among people with mental illness
- Authors:
- McKENZIE Nigel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 187(5), November 2005, pp.476-480.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Most previous investigations of imitative suicide have reported suicide clustering in the general population, either temporal clustering following media reporting of suicide or case studies of geographically localised clusters. The aim was to determine whether space – time and space–time–method clustering occur in a national case register of those who had recent contact with mental health services and had died by suicide and to estimate the suicide imitation rate in this population. Knox tests were used for space–time and space–time–method clustering. Model simulations were used to estimate effect size. Highly significant space–time and space–time–method clustering was found in a sample of 2741 people who died bysuicide over 4 yearswho hadhadrecent contact with one of 105 mental health trusts. Model simulations with an imitation rate of 10.1% (CI 4–17) reproduced the observed space–time–method clustering. This study provides indirect evidence that imitative suicide occurs among people with mental illnesses and may account for about 10% of suicides by current and recent patients.
Young people's explanations for youth suicide in New Zealand: a thematic analysis
- Authors:
- STUBBING Jessica, GIBSON Kerry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Youth Studies, 22(4), 2019, pp.520-532.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The purpose of this research was to update our understanding of young people's explanations of suicide in order to inform suicide prevention efforts. Focus groups were conducted with 38 young people, including 30 young women and 8 young men aged 15–22. The data was analysed thematically to identify the range of explanations young people ascribe to youth suicide. Five themes were identified by the analysis including that suicide could be explained by inescapable difficulties, constant pressure, emotional distress and could also be seen as a cry for help. In contrast to these normalised experiences, participants also expressed the view that mental illness might also account for suicide. The findings suggest that young people recognise suicide as a complex problem with multiple causes. While they recognised mental health problems as contributing, youth suicide was primarily understood by young people as a normal response to emotional distress and pressure. Prevention programmes should address the full range of explanations that young people give for suicide in order to promote their engagement in prevention programmes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perception of mattering and suicide ideation in the Australian working population: evidence from a cross-sectional survey
- Authors:
- MILNER A., PAGE K.M., LAMONTAGNE A.D.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 52(5), 2016, pp.615-621.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Thoughts about suicide are a risk factor for suicide deaths and attempts and are associated with a range of mental health outcomes. While there is considerable knowledge about risk factors for suicide ideation, there is little known about protective factors. The current study sought to understand the role of perceived mattering to others as a protective factor for suicide in a working sample of Australians using a cross-sectional research design. Logistic regression analysis indicated that people with a higher perception that they mattered had lower odds of suicide ideation than those with lower reported mattering, after controlling for psychological distress, demographic and relationship variables. These results indicate the importance of further research and intervention studies on mattering as a lever for reducing suicidality. Understanding more about protective factors for suicide ideation is important as this may prevent future adverse mental health and behavioural outcomes. (Publisher abstract)
Journalism and suicide reporting guidelines in Canada: perspectives, partnerships and processes
- Authors:
- GANDY Julia, TERRION Jenepher Lennox
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 17(5), 2015, pp.249-260.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Research suggests that reporting suicide in the media has the potential to influence vulnerable individuals to emulate suicide behaviour. Therefore, media guidelines for the responsible reporting of suicide have been developed and disseminated worldwide, but with mixed success. This study used semi-structured interviews with Canadian media professionals to understand the experience of reporting suicide and attitudes towards the suicide reporting guidelines in Canada. Findings indicate that media professionals view the guidelines as useful information within the bounds of normal reporting, but find them difficult to implement in light of media culture and realities. Interviews also highlighted the unique challenges of working across sectors with different sets of values, priorities and working styles. The study echoes the literature suggesting that collaborative guideline development and implementation is essential to meaningfully change suicide reporting practices. (Edited publisher abstract)
Religion and the risk of suicide: longitudinal study of over 1 million people
- Authors:
- O'REILLY Dermot, ROSATO Michael
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 206(6), 2015, pp.466-470.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: Durkheim’s seminal historical study demonstrated that religious affiliation reduces suicide risk, but it is unclear whether this protective effect persists in modern, more secular societies. Aims: To examine suicide risk according to Christian religious affiliation and by inference to examine underlying mechanisms for suicide risk. If church attendance is important, risk should be lowest for Roman Catholics and highest for those with no religion; if religiosity is important, then ‘conservative’ Christians should fare best. Method: A 9-year study followed 1 106 104 people aged 16–74 years at the 2001 UK census, using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for census-based cohort attributes. Results: In fully adjusted models analysing 1119 cases of suicide, Roman Catholics, Protestants and those professing no religion recorded similar risks. The risk associated with conservative Christians was lower than that for Catholics (HR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.97). Conclusions: The relationship between religious affiliation and suicide established by Durkheim may not pertain in societies where suicide rates are highest at younger ages. Risks are similar for those with and without a religious affiliation, and Catholics (who traditionally are characterised by higher levels of church attendance) do not demonstrate lower risk of suicide. However, religious affiliation is a poor measure of religiosity, except for a small group of conservative Christians, although their lower risk of suicide may be attributable to factors such as lower risk behaviour and alcohol consumption. (Publisher abstract)
Preventing suicide: a global imperative
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 89
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
This report provides a global knowledge base on suicide and suicide attempts as well as actionable steps for countries. It aims to encourage and support countries to develop or strengthen comprehensive suicide prevention strategies in a multisectoral public health approach. It proposes practical guidance on strategic actions that governments can take on the basis of their resources and existing suicide prevention activities. Over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year and it is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds. There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. The report argues that suicides are preventable and that an effective strategy for preventing suicides and suicide attempts is to restrict access to the most common means, including pesticides, firearms and certain medications. Health-care services need to incorporate suicide prevention as a core component while early identification and effective management are key to ensuring that people receive the care they need. The report recognises that communities play a critical role in suicide prevention and can provide social support to vulnerable individuals and engage in follow-up care, fight stigma and support those bereaved by suicide. (Edited publisher abstract)