Suicide Prevention Public Service Announcements

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 247-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Klimes-Dougan ◽  
Chih-Yuan Steven Lee
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Public Service Announcements ◽  
Normative Beliefs ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Market Diffusion

Background: Determining optimal methods for preventing suicide continues to be an elusive goal. Aims: The study examines benefits and possible untoward effects of public service announcements (PSAs) for young adults. Methods: Young adult participants (N = 279) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) a billboard simulation, (b) a 30-s TV ad simulation, and (c) a no-information condition. Results: Largely replicating a study previously conducted with adolescents, the results provided some evidence of the benefit of the simulated TV ad (e. g., increased knowledge, perceived as useful), but it also provided some evidence of untoward effects for the billboard (e. g., viewers were less likely to endorse help-seeking strategies, normative beliefs were altered for high-risk participants). Conclusions: These results are preliminary but nevertheless highlight the need for carefully researching existing messages prior to market diffusion, so that the well-intended efforts of preventionists can meet their desired goals.

Suicide Prevention Public Service Announcements

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Andrea Wiglesworth ◽  
Josephine P. Abate ◽  
Bonnie Klimes-Dougan
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Public Service Announcements ◽  
Prevention Messages ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Written Recall ◽  
Main Message

Abstract. Background: Suicide prevention public service announcements (PSAs) help to disseminate information about suicide and help-seeking options. However, little is known about how individuals at risk for suicide recall PSAs. Aims: The current project assessed which features of suicide prevention PSAs are recalled by young adult participants and whether there are differences between those who are at low or high risk for suicide. Method: Participants ( N = 140) viewed a simulated suicide prevention billboard that consisted of a main message, help-seeking message, and graphical features. Participants provided written recollections of the billboard features approximately 15 min post-viewing, which were coded and analyzed. Results: High-risk participants were significantly less likely than low-risk participants to include a description of the help-seeking message in their written recall. Few group differences were noted in the recall of the main message or graphical features. Limitations: Recall was limited to short-term recall based on a single exposure. Efforts to enhance internal validity (e.g., measurement of suicide risk) and external validity (e.g., a balanced sample regarding sex and race) are recommended. Conclusions: Results suggest that new tactics may need to be considered when developing suicide prevention messages, including crafting help-seeking messages that are more easily committed to memory for target audiences.

Suicide Prevention with Adolescents

Crisis ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Klimes-Dougan ◽  
Chih- Yuan ◽  
Steven Lee ◽  
Alaa K. Houri
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Public Service Announcements ◽  
Maladaptive Coping ◽  
Help Seeking Attitudes ◽  
Optimal Methods ◽  
Public Health Challenges

Background/Aims: Suicide is one of the most serious public health challenges; yet determining optimal methods for preventing suicide in adolescents continues to be an elusive goal. The aim of this study was to investigate possible benefits and untoward effects of suicide-prevention public service announcements (PSAs) for adolescents. Methods: Adolescent participants (N = 426; 56% female) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) a billboard simulation, (b) a 30-s TV ad simulation, and (c) a no-information condition. Results: The results of this study suggest some benefits for the information conveyed by the TV ad (e.g., more knowledgeable about depression). Few benefits were noted for adolescents who were exposed to billboard simulation, and the results raised substantial concerns about possible untoward effects, particularly in adolescents who were exhibiting depressive or suicidal symptoms. Billboard viewers were less likely to favor help-seeking attitudes, perceived PSAs as being less useful, and endorsed more maladaptive coping. Conclusions: More research is urgently needed so that well-intended efforts to prevent suicide can more optimally serve the desired goals.

Suicidal Intent in Young Adults Attending the Suicide Prevention Clinic at a Tertiary Care Centre in Kerala, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (33) ◽  
pp. 3110-3115
Author(s):  
Rajeev Kattuparackal Madhavan ◽  
Rekha Mathew ◽  
Jaimon Plathottathil Michael ◽  
Aravind Karunakaran ◽  
Ganga Gangadhara Kaimal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Centre ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
Suicidal Intent ◽  
Prevention Clinic

BACKGROUND Suicide attempts in young adults in the age group 18 - 25 years have grown exponentially across the globe in the last three decades. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults worldwide and is the second leading cause of death in 15 – 29-year-olds. The studies on the factors affecting suicidal intent among young adult suicide attempters are few from the Indian context and young adult group is of utmost importance. So, this study was done to estimate the suicidal intent among young adult suicide attempters and to assess the various factors associated with suicidal intent among young adults. METHODS The study was an analytical cross-sectional study, which was carried out at the Suicide Prevention Clinic of the Department of Psychiatry at a Tertiary Care Centre in Kerala, India over a period of 1 year from October 2015 to September 2016. The consecutive 160 young adult suicide attempters were interviewed. Beck’s suicide intent scale was used to assess the severity of suicide attempts. Statistical significance of socio-demographic factors and suicidal intent score was assessed by independent student t test and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS Out of the 160 participants, 50 (31.2 %) had low suicidal intent, 71 (44.4 %) had medium suicidal intent and 39 (24.4 %) had high suicidal intent. The study showed significant association between marital status (t = 2.515, P = 0.011), Occupation (F = 7.991, P < 0.001), previous suicide attempt (t = - 2.586, P = 0.011), mode of attempt (F = 7.228, P < 0.001) and psychiatric disorder (F = 11.218, P < 0.001) with the suicidal intent score. The study has found a significant association between the caregiver and suicidal intent score (F = 4.339, P = 0.006) which needs to be researched further. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed significant association between the socio-demographic variables like occupation, marital status, caregiver, mode of attempt, previous attempt and psychiatric diagnosis with the suicidal intent scores of young adult suicide attempters attending the suicide prevention clinic. This finding throws light to the factors contributing to high suicidal intent among young adults. The suicidal rates among the young adults are on the rise and we as the health professionals should be aware of these factors which will help in preventing young adult suicides. KEYWORDS Suicidal Intent, Young Adults, Suicide Prevention Clinic, Suicidal Behaviour, Kerala

scholarly journals The unreliability of egocentric bias across self–other and memory–belief distinctions in the Sandbox Task

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 181355
Author(s):  
Steven Samuel ◽  
Edward W. Legg ◽  
Robert Lurz ◽  
Nicola S. Clayton
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Mental State ◽  
False Belief ◽  
Action Prediction ◽  
False Belief Task ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Egocentric Bias ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
New Location

Humans are often considered egocentric creatures, particularly (and ironically) when we are supposed to take another person's perspective over our own (i.e. when we use our theory of mind). We investigated the underlying causes of this phenomenon. We gave young adult participants a false belief task (Sandbox Task) in which objects were first hidden at one location by a protagonist and then moved to a second location within the same space but in the protagonist's absence. Participants were asked to indicate either where the protagonist remembered the item to be (reasoning about another's memory), believed it to be (reasoning about another's false belief), or where the protagonist would look for it (action prediction of another based on false belief). The distance away from Location A (the original one) towards Location B (the new location) was our measure of egocentric bias. We found no evidence that egocentric bias varied according to reasoning type, and no evidence that participants actually were more biased when reasoning about another person than when simply recalling the first location from memory. We conclude that the Sandbox Task paradigm may not be sensitive enough to draw out consistent effects related to mental state reasoning in young adults.

Examining the Impact of Public Service Announcements on Help Seeking and Stigma

2015 ◽  
Vol 203 (11) ◽  
pp. 836-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick W. Corrigan ◽  
Karina J. Powell ◽  
Maya A. Al-Khouja
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Public Service Announcements ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Talking About Hepatitis C: FAQs From Young Adults Who Inject Drugs

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 815-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren L. Knight ◽  
Katherine Wagner ◽  
Yuridia Leyva ◽  
Veronica R. Bruce ◽  
Kirsten A. M. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Hcv Transmission ◽  
Field Workers

Introduction. Young adults who inject drugs and live in rural communities are at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recent changes in HCV treatment must be communicated within these communities to improve access to care and reduce HCV transmission. Methods. Field workers in the ¡VÁLE! Hepatitis Treatment and Integrated Prevention Services study identified frequently asked questions (FAQs) posed by young-adult participants at high risk for HCV during screening and educational sessions. From 2016 to 2018, 183 young adults (44.3% women; 85.8% Latino/a) younger than 30 years who inject drugs and reside in Rio Arriba or Doña Ana counties in New Mexico were enrolled. The research team compiled deidentified questions during field enrollments. Results. FAQs were reviewed and categorized into four major domains, including risk/prevention, screening, treatment, and reinfection. FAQs were addressed by a team of medical and public health professionals, using the most current research and recommendations. Conclusions. These FAQs address important gaps in HCV knowledge among young adults who are at high risk for infection. The FAQs also highlight the importance of risk reduction counseling provided by frontline public health providers as well as access to safe and effective HCV treatments for young adults who inject drugs.

Efforts to Prevent Railway Suicides in Denmark

Crisis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Erlangsen ◽  
Nils la Cour ◽  
Christian Ørbæk Larsen ◽  
Susanne Skadhauge Karlsen ◽  
Simon Witting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Telephone Helpline ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Railway Suicide ◽  
Camera Surveillance

Abstract. Background: Reviews of camera surveillance systems have demonstrated ambivalent behaviors among people who die by railway suicide. Yet, only few preventive measures have been evaluated. Aims: We aimed to review incidents of suicidal behavior at a Danish railway station, install preventive measures, and monitor subsequent calls to a telephone helpline and reports of suicidal incidences. Method: Suicide incidents at Valby Station during 2012–2018 were reviewed to identify options for preventive measures. Based on these findings, signs encouraging help-seeking and other measures were implemented. Calls to the Danish helpline for suicide prevention and suicidal events at the station were subsequently monitored. Results: The review revealed locations where measures were meaningful and signs, physical barriers, and motion-sensitive lights were installed. Over the following 14 months, no suicide deaths occurred, and the signs were mentioned in 14 calls to the helpline, some of which were made by callers who were evaluated to be at high risk of suicide. Limitations: No direct link between implemented measures and observed outcomes could be established. Conclusion: Installing measures, including signs, at appropriate locations at railway platforms may encourage people in crisis to seek support.

scholarly journals The Perceived Stigma Reduction Expressed by Young Adults in Response to Suicide Prevention Videos

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6180
Author(s):  
Sarah Keller ◽  
Vanessa McNeill ◽  
Tan Tran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Meaningful Change ◽  
Stigma Reduction ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Individual Level

Evidence indicates that stigma impedes an individual’s chance of seeking professional help for a mental health crisis. Commonly reported aggregate-level results for stigma-reduction efforts obfuscate how much stigma reduction is needed to incur a practically meaningful change within an individual, defined here as an attitudinal shift and openness towards seeking mental health for oneself and/or support for others. When basing conclusions and recommendations about stigma-reducing interventions on aggregate scales, it is unclear how much stigma reduction is needed to incur meaningful change within an individual. We explored the impact of reductions in stigma of help-seeking scores in response to an online suicide prevention video among young adults in the United States, using online surveys to collect qualitative and quantitative data. We compared mean changes in the stigma scores from pre- to post-test (video exposure) of 371 young U.S. adults using standard t-tests and individual level analysis. A separate thematic analysis of free-text responses was also conducted from a smaller, randomly-selected subgroup, capturing individuals’ attitudes towards help-seeking for mental health problems. Great attention was given to participants to ensure that they were in a campus setting where counseling services were available. Four main themes emerged: (1) small changes in stigma scores were associated with individual reports of meaningful reductions in their attitudes towards professional counseling; (2) increased empathy towards victims of suicide and other mental health problems sometimes indicated increased empathy for victims of suicide and decreased openness in professional help; (3) empathy towards victims sometimes took the form of increased scores and grief or sadness, possibly thwarting the potential for help-seeking; and (4) self-reports of decreased stigma were not always associated with increased openness towards help-seeking. Results also indicated that small stigma score charges, not meeting statistical significance, were often associated with increased openness towards seeking help. These findings, discovered using mixed-methods, contribute to the body of literature regarding stigma towards suicide and help-seeking by demonstrating deficits in the aggregate-only analysis of stigma-reducing interventions specifically aimed at suicide prevention. Such individuation in stigma experiences indicates that public education on how to reduce the stigma of help-seeking for suicide prevention needs to consider individual-level analyses for improving target populations. Recommendations for future research include additional studies prior to releasing suicide prevention videos to public forums where they may be seen by individuals without access to help.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document