Suicide prevention program for at-risk groups: Pointers from an epidemiological study

AbstractFew studies report long term follow-up of community gatekeeper training programs that aim to facilitate help-seeking for suicide and there are none in Aboriginal communities. This study aimed to determine long term effects of the Shoalhaven Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Program (SASPP), which used community gatekeeper training as its primary strategy. Following consultation with the Aboriginal community, a brief questionnaire and semi-structured interview was completed by 40 participants who attended a community gatekeeper workshop 2 years earlier. Fifteen of the 40 participants stated that they had helped someone at risk of suicide over the 2-year follow-up period. Intentions to help and confidence to identify someone at risk of suicide remained high. A significant relationship was found between intentions to help prior to the workshop and whether participants had actually helped someone at risk of suicide. Correlations suggested a link between intentions to help, and subsequent help provision. However, it is unclear whether workshop attendance contributed to this effect. Future prevention programs need to be customised to specific Aboriginal communities to reduce barriers to helpseeking behaviour.

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Review of suicide-prevention programs in Queensland: state- and community-level activities

Australian Health Review ◽

10.1071/ah12020 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 37 (5) ◽

pp. 660 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Urska Arnautovska ◽

Kairi Kolves ◽

Naoko Ide ◽

Diego De Leo

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Suicide Prevention ◽

Prevention Programs ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Treatment Level ◽

Term Care ◽

Predominant Type ◽

At Risk Populations ◽

Harm Prevention ◽

Suicide Prevention Programs

Objective Information regarding the availability of suicide-prevention programs in Australia is sparse and rather difficult to obtain. This study aimed to report and describe suicide and/or self-harm-prevention programs in Queensland. Methods Programs were classified by type of intervention, predominant type of program, setting of delivery and targeted population-at-risk. Results Sixty-six organisations were identified, providing a total of 101 suicide-prevention programs. The majority of programs operated at the prevention or treatment level, with less than half providing continuing (long-term) care. The programs targeted 12 different risk groups and were most frequently delivered within community settings. Conclusions The findings show a diverse distribution of activities across the levels of prevention and different risk populations. This survey demonstrates the existence of remarkable gaps in coverage and provision of programs for specific high-risk groups. What is known about the topic? Although suicide prevention in Australia has recently received considerable attention, there is currently no complete list or register of suicide-prevention programs. This reduces the opportunity for people at risk to access help, as well as agencies to link and build on existing models of service. What does this paper add? This study is unique in identifying and reviewing suicide-prevention programs that are funded by national or state suicide-prevention strategies, as well as those funded by private and community-based organisations. The identified programs are matched with the actual suicide risk of the targeted subpopulations, indicating a lack or overlap of programs for specific populations. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper is particularly relevant for policy makers as it identifies potential gaps in the provision of suicide-prevention programs for specific at-risk populations in Queensland. The relevance of the paper for practitioners, however, is in encouraging them to re-examine the provision of their services considering the entire continuum of suicide-prevention activities.

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Parents-CARE: A Suicide Prevention Program for Parents of At-Risk Youth

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing ◽

10.1111/jcap.12025 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 85-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Carole Hooven

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Suicide Prevention ◽

Prevention Program ◽

At Risk Youth

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Perceptions of a Peer Suicide Prevention Program by Inmates and Professionals Working in Prisons

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000172 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 289-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Laurent Auzoult ◽

Sid Abdellaoui

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Traditional Approach ◽

Prevention Programs ◽

New Methods ◽

Penal Institutions ◽

Peer Suicide ◽

Suicide Prevention Programs ◽

Methods Of Suicide

Background: Suicide prevention is a major challenge for penal institutions in many countries. The traditional approach relies on the expertise of health professionals and is supplemented by the intervention of other professionals and the inmates themselves. New methods of suicide prevention based on peer support have been developed in recent years. Peer prevention programs rely on the ability of inmates to identify suicide risk. Aims: This study examines perceived suicide risk among inmates and explores possible explanations. Method: 54 inmates and 17 professionals working in prisons responded to a questionnaire. Results: The peer prevention program was found to change inmates’ expectations of support in the event of a suicide crisis. The study also found that the inmates involved in the program tended to underestimate the risk of suicide. The perception of the prevention program and the level of self-consciousness were found to account for the underestimation of suicide risk. Conclusions: Support for inmates involved in suicide prevention programs must take into account their isolation in prison. The training provided to inmates must also consider the biases affecting the assessment of risk.

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