Suicide rates, life satisfaction and happiness as markers for population mental health

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Bray ◽  
David Gunnell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Population Mental Health

scholarly journals Subjective wellbeing, suicide and socioeconomic factors: an ecological analysis in Hong Kong

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-Y. Hsu ◽  
S.-S. Chang ◽  
P. S. F. Yip
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Small Area ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
District Level ◽  
Suicide Rates

Aims.There has recently been an increased interest in mental health indicators for the monitoring of population wellbeing, which is among the targets of Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations. Levels of subjective wellbeing and suicide rates have been proposed as indicators of population mental health, but prior research is limited.Methods.Data on individual happiness and life satisfaction were sourced from a population-based survey in Hong Kong (2011). Suicide data were extracted from Coroner's Court files (2005–2013). Area characteristic variables included local poverty rate and four factors derived from a factor analysis of 21 variables extracted from the 2011 census. The associations between mean happiness and life satisfaction scores and suicide rates were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient at two area levels: 18 districts and 30 quantiles of large street blocks (LSBs; n = 1620). LSB is a small area unit with a higher level of within-unit homogeneity compared with districts. Partial correlations were used to control for area characteristics.Results.Happiness and life satisfaction demonstrated weak inverse associations with suicide rate at the district level (r = −0.32 and −0.36, respectively) but very strong associations at the LSB quantile level (r = −0.83 and −0.84, respectively). There were generally very weak or weak negative correlations across sex/age groups at the district level but generally moderate to strong correlations at the LSB quantile level. The associations were markedly attenuated or became null after controlling for area characteristics.Conclusions.Subjective wellbeing is strongly associated with suicide at a small area level; socioeconomic factors can largely explain this association. Socioeconomic factors could play an important role in determining the wellbeing of the population, and this could inform policies aimed at enhancing population wellbeing.

The Effects of Taekwondo Training on the Mental Health and Life Satisfaction of the Old women

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-439
Author(s):  
Tae-Young Choi ◽  
Man-Soo Kim ◽  
Hyung-Il Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction

scholarly journals Population Mental Health in the 21st Century: Time to Act

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (S3) ◽  
pp. S152-S153
Author(s):  
Rebecca Fuhrer ◽  
Katherine M. Keyes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Population Mental Health

Associations between mental health shortage areas and county-level suicide rates among adults aged 25 and older in the USA, 2010 to 2018

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
Benson S. Ku ◽  
Jianheng Li ◽  
Cathy Lally ◽  
Michael T. Compton ◽  
Benjamin G. Druss
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
County Level ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Usa

scholarly journals Suicide-related Twitter Content in Response to a National Mental Health Awareness Campaign and the Association between the Campaign and Suicide Rates in Ontario

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 460-467
Author(s):  
David Côté ◽  
Marissa Williams ◽  
Rabia Zaheer ◽  
Thomas Niederkrotenthaler ◽  
Ayal Schaffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Behavioral Outcomes ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Health Awareness ◽  
Awareness Campaign ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Mental Health Awareness ◽  
Control Window ◽  
National Mental Health

Objective: Mental health awareness (MHA) campaigns have been shown to be successful in improving mental health literacy, decreasing stigma, and generating public discussion. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the effects of these campaigns on behavioral outcomes such as suicides. Therefore, the objective of this article is to characterize the association between the event and suicide in Canada’s most populous province and the content of suicide-related tweets referencing a Canadian MHA campaign (Bell Let’s Talk Day [BLTD]). Methods: Suicide counts during the week of BTLD were compared to a control window (2011 to 2016) to test for associations between the BLTD event and suicide. Suicide tweets geolocated to Ontario, posted in 2016 with the BLTD hashtag were coded for specific putatively harmful and protective content. Results: There was no associated change in suicide counts. Tweets ( n = 3,763) mainly included content related to general comments about suicide death (68%) and suicide being a problem (42.8%) with little putatively helpful content such as stories of resilience (0.6%) and messages of hope (2.2%). Conclusions: In Ontario, this national mental health media campaign was associated with a high volume of suicide-related tweets but not necessarily including content expected to diminish suicide rates. Campaigns like BLTD should strongly consider greater attention to suicide-related messaging that promotes help-seeking and resilience. This may help to further decrease stigmatization, and potentially, reduce suicide rates.

scholarly journals Sociodemographic correlates of public stigma about mental illness: a population study on Hong Kong’s Chinese population

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lincoln Lik Hang Lo ◽  
Yi Nam Suen ◽  
Sherry Kit Wa Chan ◽  
Min Yi Sum ◽  
Cheung Charlton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Public Stigma ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates ◽  
Lower Education

Abstract Background Individuals with psychiatric disorders are often unwilling to seek help or often follow treatment regimens, fearing public stigma. This study identified the sociodemographic correlates of public stigma while accounting for mental health literacy and life satisfaction. Methods This study analysed data for 1514 individuals who participated in a population-based random telephone survey conducted in 2018. Sociodemographic characteristics included gender, age, education level, and occupation. Data on public stigma, mental health literacy, and life satisfaction were also collected. Multiple linear regression was conducted to examine the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on public stigma. A moderation analysis was performed to investigate the role of age and education in the relationship between mental health literacy and public stigma. Results Sociodemographic characteristics, such as female gender, older age, lower education, and occupation (particularly retired and homemakers), were associated with a higher public stigma. The association between public stigma and mental health literacy was the most significant among individuals aged 50 years and above with lower education levels. Conclusions This study showed that certain population subgroups, based on their sociodemographic profile, have a higher stigma about mental illnesses. Understanding the differential effects of sociodemographic factors on public stigma is imperative to developing effective anti-stigma campaigns.

scholarly journals Mental health policy issues and development in Lithuania

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I R Rubikas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Mental Health Policies ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Background Lithuanian has experienced rapid and relatively successful transition to capitalism and transatlantic-Western values and practices in recent decades. Suicide and legal alcohol consumption rates remain the highest in the EU and OECD, and Lithuania's Positive emotions index score has been consistently amongst the 10 lowest in the world in recent years. Emigration rate is the highest in the EU and OECD, social inequality is amongst the highest in the same groups. Despite a relatively strong economy these changes are not automatically transferred to better social and emotional well-being. Methods This unconventional situation calls for strong and unconventional policy responses in the area of mental health, amongst others. Health impact assessment using theory-based approach and desk research. Results Recent attempts include strategic reorientation towards social and emotional well-being, stronger focus on prevention and promotion and primary care, intensifying efforts to reduce suicide rates, and implementation of strong regulatory measures to reduce alcohol use. Suicide rates have been declining since 2013 but remain high. Effort is made to implement best practices in media reporting, recognition and providing appropriate help for those in suicide crisis, expanding prevention efforts. Conclusions Finally, WHOs “best buys” in alcohol control were implemented since 2017, including steep increases in excise taxes, ban on alcohol advertisement, increase of allowed age, reducing alcohol trading hours and others. This resulted in the steepest decline of legal alcohol consumption in decades. The chosen policy route may be called iterative policy-making, whereby improvements are made along the way, which allows for quicker policy decisions and results. Key messages Mental health policies need to be based on the socio-political context of the specific country. Smaller countries such as Lithuania might benefit form flexible approaches to mental health policies.

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