Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Statistical update on suicide
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAiN. Department of Health. Health Improvement Analytical Team
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- London
In September 2012, a statistical document presenting key statistics and relevant information was published alongside ‘Preventing suicide in England: a cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives’. This document provides an update with latest available information, in which the term suicide refers to deaths from both intentional self-harm and injury or poisoning of undetermined intent. It includes trend information on deaths in particular circumstances and by age group. (Edited publisher abstract)
Targeting suicide - qualitative analysis of suicide prevention strategy documents in England and Finland
- Authors:
- SOLIN Pia, NIKANDER Pirjo
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review Journal, 16(1), March 2011, pp.5-14.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In a policy context, suicide is not easily defined, understood or prevented. It leaves a long-lasting mental and social burden on those left behind, as well as direct consequences on the health sector and society as a whole. The means policy itself is often difficult to turn into action. This review details the interpretative repertoires found in the suicide prevention strategies of both England and Finland, and examines their potential functions and audiences. In both nations, the political repertoire was formed from four themes: the public health epidemiology; the everyday; the preventive action; and the reflective repertoires. The paper outlines the polyphonic and multi-layered nature of these policy documents and how different repertoires may be used for various functions. The paper concludes that, while the polyphonic nature of policy documents is necessary to reach a wider readership and to capture suicide as a controversial phenomenon, its argumentative style may also undermine some of the measures and actions recommended by policy itself.
Primary care contact prior to suicide in individuals with mental illness
- Authors:
- PEARSON Anna, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of General Practice, 59(568), November 2009, pp.825-832.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of General Practitioners
This study investigated the frequency and nature of general practice consultations in the year before suicide for patients in current, or recent, contact with secondary mental health services in the northwest of England. GP records were reviewed in 247 of the 286 cases (86%). Overall, 91% of individuals (n = 224) consulted their GP on at least one occasion in the year before death. The median number of consultations was 7 (interquartile range = 3-10). Interviews were carried out with GPs with regard to 159 patients. GPs reported concerns about their patient's safety in 43 (27%) cases, but only 16% of them thought that the suicide could have been prevented. Agreement between GPs and mental health teams regarding risk of suicide was poor. Both sets of clinicians rated moderate to high levels of risk in only 3% of cases for whom information was available (n = 139). It is concluded that consultation prior to suicide is common but suicide prevention in primary care is challenging. Possible strategies might include examining the potential benefits of risk assessment and collaborative working between primary and secondary care.
National Confidential inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness: annual report: England and Wales
- Author:
- UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER. Centre for Suicide Prevention. National Confidential Inquiry
- Publisher:
- University of Manchester. Centre for Suicide Prevention. National Confidential Inquiry
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 46p.
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
This report covers current issues, suicide, homicide, sudden unexplained death in psychiatric patients, an update on inquiry research projects, and recent reports and papers from the inquiry.
Mental health in prisons: some insights from death in custody investigations
- Author:
- SHAW Stephen
- Journal article citation:
- Prison Service Journal, 174, November 2007, pp.11-14.
- Publisher:
- Her Majesty's Prison Service of England and Wales
The author, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, presents some key themes from his investigations into deaths in custody and what they say about the states of mental health services in prisons today. The themes discussed in the article are: that prisoner-patients tend to be at the back of the queue in accessing NHS psychiatric facilities; that there is a poor quality of mental health assessment for prisoners; and the lack of effectiveness of preventing self harm by implementing a policy of constant observation. The article is supported with a number of case examples.
Redbridge Safeguarding Adults Board: safeguarding adult review “Alice”
- Authors:
- WIFFIN Jane, FISH Sheila
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 49
- Place of publication:
- London
This SAR is about Alice, a white/British care-experienced young person who took her own life at the age of 23. It explores what is supporting and what is getting in the way of delivering effective care for individuals with complex and multiple behavioural, mental health and drug dependency needs, across multiple agencies and geographical boundaries. The review team has prioritised five findings for the SAB to consider. These are: ‘pull’ of birth family – work with children living in or leaving children’s homes does not sufficiently prioritise working with them and their birth families to address the complex relationships between them in anticipation of their transition to adulthood; transitioning the most vulnerable young people into adulthood – local authority processes for transition planning and support for young people leaving care are not set up to differentiate the level of seriousness of a young person’s circumstances, based on an evaluation of factors known to increase vulnerability; clinical ownership, psychological formulations and therapeutic care plans – for young people with diagnoses of autism and co-occurring conditions, including emerging personality disorder, whose distressed behaviours of concern manifest in drug misuse, self-harm and attempts to take their own lives, there is often a mismatch between the seriousness of their situation and the response from mental health services; victim blaming – the absence of functioning local authority leaving care processes for complex cases and/or effective mental health interventions creates fertile ground for routine victim blaming that sees young women with unregulated emotional behaviour being held individually accountable for their behaviours; creating stability and identity despite reactive services – for extremely vulnerable young care leavers who experience a pattern of reactive, crisis-led responses which do not necessarily recognise or meet their needs as vulnerable people, there are inadequate mechanisms to forge a continuity over time. (Edited publisher abstract)
Local suicide prevention planning in England: an independent progress report
- Authors:
- CHADWICK Tom, OWENS Christabel, MORRISSEY Jacqui
- Publishers:
- Samaritans, University of Exeter
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 97
- Place of publication:
- Ewell
This report, from Samaritans and the University of Exeter, looks at the breadth and depth of suicide prevention planning within and across local authorities in England. Specifically, the research looked at the current state of local multi-agency suicide prevention action plans, the actions contained in local plans, and the successes and challenges in suicide prevention experienced by local authorities. The findings are drawn from survey research and qualitative interviews with local suicide prevention leads, and qualitative analysis of local suicide prevention plans. The report covers actions featured in local plans according to the seven priorities: reducing the risk of suicide in key high-risk groups; improving mental health in specific groups; reducing access to the means of suicide; information and support to those bereaved or affected by suicide; support to the media; support research, data collection and monitoring; and reducing rates of self harm. The research found that almost all local authority areas have established an action plan and multi-agency suicide prevention group. There is also a commitment to collaborative working at local level. However, the research found that some areas are further ahead than others, and that local areas would benefit from collaborating with neighbouring authorities where good practice could be shared, or economies of scale savings made. In addition, over three-quarters of local authorities said they would welcome additional support nationally to improve their suicide prevention activities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Aiming for 'zero suicides': an evaluation of a whole system approach to suicide prevention in the East of England
- Author:
- MOULIN Lawrence
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 27
- Place of publication:
- London
This report considers the development of the ‘Zero Suicide’ Programme and highlights of the work undertaken and describes some of the underlying evidence and the learning from the work carried out. The programme aims to prevent suicides by creating a more open environment for people to talk about suicidal thoughts and enabling others to help them. It particularly aims to reach people who have not been reached through previous initiatives and to address gaps in existing provision. The report highlights a range of suicide prevention activities carried out in local communities. They included: training key public service staff such as GPs, police officers, teachers and housing officers; training others who may encounter someone at risk of taking their own life, such as pub landlords, coroners, private security staff, faith groups and gym workers; creating ‘community champions’ to put local people in control of activities; putting in place practical suicide prevention measures in ‘hot spots’ such as bridges and railways; working with local newspapers, radio and social media to raise awareness in the wider community; supporting safety planning for people at risk of suicide, involving families and carers throughout the process; and linking with local crisis services to ensure people get speedy access to evidence-based treatments. (Edited publisher abstract)
Statistical update on suicide
- Author:
- OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- London
Key statistical data on suicide in England, highlighting trends and rates by gender, number of suicides by people in contact with mental health services, inpatient suicides, self-inflicted deaths in prison, apparent suicides following police custody, and deaths mentioning helium poisoning. There were 4,727 suicides recorded in 2013, a rise of 214 since 2012. The overall trend in the suicide rates has been decreasing since 1998 until 2008 but has been rising slightly since. The three-year average rate for 2011-13 was 8.8 suicides per 100,000 general population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Self-harm: treating people differently, intervening early
- Author:
- JOHN Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, March 2012, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Self-harm, usually defined as intentional self-poisoning or self-injury, is an important public health problem. The method, nature of motivation, or degree of suicidal intent is complex and may change for any individual over time. Long-term outcome studies in adults consistently highlight the association between self-harm and completed suicide. Those who repeat self-harm are at significantly greater risk of committing suicide than those how have a single episode. There are many factors associated with self-harm: mental health problems, particularly depression; alcohol and substance misuse; personality disorders; and a range of social, economic and cultural issues. All people who self-harm who present at hospital should have a psychosocial assessment and any associated disorders should be managed according to NICE guidelines. All frontline staff should receive suicide and self-harm awareness training and be enabled to manage people in a caring, compassionate manner.