Restricting Access to Methods of Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (S1) ◽  
pp. 4-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Hawton

Abstract. Restriction of access to means for suicidal behavior, especially dangerous methods, is a key element in most national suicide prevention strategies. In this paper the rationale for this is discussed, including the fact that suicidal impulses are often brief, that availability of a method may influence both the occurrence and outcome of a suicidal act, and that if a favored means becomes less available it does not always result in substitution by another method. Examples of evidence for the effectiveness of restricting availability of suicidal methods on subsequent suicidal behavior are presented, plus the supporting findings from studies of long-term survivors of serious suicide attempts in which only a minority have gone on to die in subsequent suicide attempts. Finally, factors likely to determine the effectiveness of modifying access to means for suicide are considered, together with the main elements that need to be addressed in evaluation.

NASPA Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R Baker

When suicidal behavior is reported, student affairs officers on many campuses notify parents as one component of a multifaceted campus suicide prevention plan. In response to proposals to mandate parent notification, the author argues that practical considerations warrant against expanding state laws to require notification following campus suicide attempts. The recent experience with parent notice at one university confirms the work of earlier researchers who concluded that parents rarely withdraw suicidal students from enrollment. Although a policy of sending the letters may deter further episodes of selfdestructive behavior, parents once alerted to the situation are not likely to intervene in a manner that will reduce significantly the risk of suicide.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Houle ◽  
C Guillou-Ouellette

Introduction In Montréal, the characteristics of suicide cases may vary between different areas. The information collected by coroners during their investigations of suicides could be used to support local suicide-prevention planning actions. Methods This study analyzes all coroners' records on suicide in Montréal from 2007 to 2009 to 1. determine the usefulness of the data available; 2. develop a profile of cases; 3. examine local differences by comparing two areas, one with the highest suicide rate and the other with the lowest. Results The data collected revealed the lack of a systematic, standardized procedure for recording information about deaths by suicide. The rates of missing data varied, but were very high for antecedents of suicide attempts and recent events that could have precipitated the suicide. We observed differences in the characteristics of suicide cases according to area of residence. Conclusion By adopting a standardized procedure for collecting information on cases of suicide, coroners could provide local decision makers with a more accurate portrait of the people who die by suicide in their area. Local adjustments may improve suicide-prevention strategies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Crona ◽  
Alexander Mossberg ◽  
Louise Brådvik

Objective. To describe the suicidal career in the long-term course of severe depression.Subjects and Method. Seventy-five former in-patients were interviewed by telephone about course of depression and suicide attempts 37–53 years after index admission. Medical records were read in many cases.Results. 29 subjects had attempted suicide, 13 repeated, 10 made severe, and 13 violent attempts. The risk of suicide attempt decreased by 10% for every decade spent depressed. Suicide attempts were made early in course of depression, and more time was spent depressed after suicide attempts than before.Conclusions. A healing process of the suicidal career, which may occur long before the end of the last depressive episode (sometimes decades), is proposed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 4225-4230
Author(s):  
Chinnu Sugavanam Senthilkumar ◽  
Tahir Mohi-Ud-Din Malla ◽  
Sameena Akhter ◽  
Nand Kishore Sah ◽  
Narayanan Ganesh

Abstract There is credible evidence that the 1984–Bhopal–methyl isocyanate (MIC)–gas–exposed long-term survivors and their offspring born post-exposure are susceptible to infectious/communicable and non-communicable diseases. Bhopal’s COVID-19 fatality rate suggests that the MIC–gas tragedy survivors are at higher risk, owing to a weakened immune system and co-morbidities. This situation emboldened us to ponder over what we know, what we don’t, and what we should know about their susceptibility to COVID-19. This article aims at answering these three questions that emerge in the minds of public health officials concerning prevention strategies against COVID-19 and health promotion in the Bhopal MIC-affected population (BMAP). Our views and opinions presented in this article will draw attention to prevent and reduce the consequences of COVID-19 in BMAP. From the perspective of COVID-19 prophylaxis, the high-risk individuals from BMAP with co-morbidities need to be identified through a door-to-door visit to the severely gas-affected regions and advised to maintain good respiratory hygiene, regular intake of immune-boosting diet, and follow healthy lifestyle practices.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S125-S130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ella Arensman ◽  
Diego De Leo ◽  
Jane Pirkis

Abstract. This final chapter focuses on the progress made so far in the area of suicide prevention and calls attention to considerations for future work. Recommendations for the implementation of national suicide prevention strategies are proposed, including close collaboration between countries within the same geographic region, as well as guidance from countries wherein national strategies have successfully implemented, such as the sharing of effective strategy templates. In addition, the value of accurate surveillance data in overcoming barriers, informing actions and responding to real time trends in suicide and self-harm is emphasized. The need for more systematic research into the efficacy of intervention and prevention approaches is also highlighted. Furthermore, the provision of governmental support to ensure long-term sustainability of national suicide prevention strategies is endorsed. Approaches to enhance the evaluation of the efficacy of national suicide prevention strategies and interdisciplinary partnerships and collaborations are discussed. Finally, recommended resources to assist in implementing and evaluating key components of national suicide prevention strategies are listed.


Author(s):  
Robert D. Canning ◽  
Joel A. Dvoskin

This essay describes and critiques suicide-prevention strategies in prison, including the extent to which screening and prevention programs are used in the United States. The epidemiology of suicide and suicide attempts in both jails and prisons is reviewed, with discussions of differences in suicide risk by demographic factors, individual risk and suicide protective factors, and contextual factors. A cross-section of legal cases leading to the establishment of a legal basis for suicide prevention in US correctional facilities is provided, followed by an overview of current national standards and best practice guidelines for preventing inmate suicides. The essential components of correctional suicide-prevention strategies are described and critiqued, including core values at the center of these strategies, aspects of most effective systems management, and evidenced-based clinical care. Finally, special considerations for different types of confinement settings are described.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-228
Author(s):  
Lonneke van Leeuwen ◽  
Jeroen Bommelé

Abstract. Background: Previous research and media guidelines suggest two potential protective characteristics of news reports about suicide: (1) individuals who adopt coping strategies other than suicidal behavior are described and (2) information about resources for support is provided. Aims: Our aim was to investigate the extent to which Dutch news reports contain these two potential protective characteristics. Method: A random selection of Dutch news reports ( N = 296) published in the previous 6 months was coded on the presence of each of the two potential protective characteristics. Results: Of the 296 news reports, 50 news reports (16.9%) mentioned available resources for support. Only one news report (0.3%) described an individual who adopted coping strategies other than suicidal behavior in adverse circumstances, namely, entering a mental health care institution. Limitations: One of the limitations is that, owing to the selection of news reports, conclusions pertain only to news reports published by Dutch media sources with the most readership in that period. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that current knowledge about protective characteristics of news reports on suicide needs to be better implemented in The Netherlands.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110272
Author(s):  
José Eduardo Rodríguez-Otero ◽  
Xiana Campos-Mouriño ◽  
David Meilán-Fernández ◽  
Sarai Pintos-Bailón ◽  
Graciela Cabo-Escribano

Background: Each year, around 800,000 people die by suicide. The prevalence of suicidal behaviors is much higher when suicidal attempts and persistent self-injurious ideation are included. Therefore, suicide is a public health concern. Research has been sensitive to this problem, deepening the study of risk factors and the development of theoretical frameworks of suicidal behavior, with the aim of generating effective suicide prevention policies around the biopsychosocial model. Aim: We aimed to explore the role of relational, community, and social factors in current suicide prevention strategies. Method: Studies of risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior and the consequent development of theoretical frameworks were reviewed to verify if this knowledge was really used in suicide prevention policies. Results: Studies of risk and protective factors focus mainly on the individual, while theoretical frameworks emphasize the role of the relational, community, and social. Suicide prevention strategies more closely follow individual models derived from studies of risk factors. Conclusions: Suicide prevention strategies should broaden their individual narrative to include relational, community, and social interventions as anti-suicide measures.


2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego De Leo ◽  
Diego De Leo ◽  
Russell Evans ◽  
Kerryn Neulinger

Objective: To identify characteristics that could distinguish males who completed suicide by hanging from males who completed suicide by firearms and non-domestic gas, and to suggest suicide prevention strategies targeted at hanging. Method: Using the psychological autopsy design, males who used hanging, firearms and non-domestic gas were compared on a range of variables covering social, psychological, and health related factors and aspects of the suicide incident. The sample consisted of 950 males who suicided in Queensland, Australia, between 1994 and 1996. Results: Compared with males who used firearms and non-domestic gas, males who used hanging were significantly younger, less likely to have left a suicide note, and more likely to have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. Compared with males who used firearms, males who used hanging were significantly more likely to have made prior suicide attempts and have had no physical illness. Compared with males who used non-domestic gas, males who used hanging were significantly more likely to have lived with others, have had prior legal trouble, and have suicided at their residence. Conclusions: The results are discussed in terms of the availability and socio-cultural acceptability of methods. The authors suggest a possible relationship between impulsive traits and method choice. This proposition requires further investigation using alternative methodologies. Some suicide prevention measures targeting hanging suicides are discussed in light of the results.


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