scholarly journals The development and evaluation of an evidence-based suicide prevention strategy in Flanders (Belgium)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Dumon ◽  
G Portzky
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Government ◽  
Year 2000

Abstract Background Suicide rates in Belgium have been consistently high, with a current prevalence of 15.1 suicides per 100.000 inhabitants, which is 1.5 times higher than the European average. In Flanders (northern part of Belgium) more than 10.000 suicide attempts are being registered every year and studies show that 13 % of the population reports a lifetime history of suicidal thoughts. Since 2006 an extensive Suicide Prevention Strategy has been implemented in Flanders, aiming to decrease the Flemish suicide rate by 20% by 2020 (baseline year 2000). Methods The Suicide Prevention Strategy has been developed by a team of experts, involving multiple stakeholders and the lay public. The 'Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention' (VLESP) was launched by the government to coordinate and monitor the prevention campaigns, tools and interventions included in the strategy, and to study their effectiveness. Results The Suicide Prevention Strategy includes five key strategies namely: 1) mental health promotion, 2) providing helplines and online help, 3) educating health professionals and community facilitators, 4) developing programs targeting high risk groups, 5) developing and implementing targeted suicide prevention guidelines for health professionals and other key gatekeepers. A range of innovative suicide prevention tools and interventions, such as an e-learning course for health professionals, smartphone applications and group therapies for suicidal individuals, have been developed and positively evaluated. In 2017 (in comparison with the year 2000) suicide rates in men decreased with 27% and suicide rates in women with 26%. For suicide attempts, a decrease of 19% was noted. Conclusions Suicide prevention is a public health priority in Flanders. A combination of evidence-based tools and interventions have been developed and assessed in the past years, resulting in a decrease in suicide rates.

scholarly journals Australia's National Suicide Prevention Strategy: the next chapter

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Robinson ◽  
Patrick McGorry ◽  
Meredith G Harris ◽  
Jane Pirkis ◽  
Philip Burgess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Prevention Activities ◽  
The Impact

Australia?s National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) is about to move into a new funding phase. In this context this paper considers the emphasis of the NSPS since its inception in 1999. Certain high-risk groups (particularly people with mental illness and people who have selfharmed) have been relatively neglected, and some promising approaches (particularly selective and indicated interventions) have been under-emphasised. This balance should be redressed and the opportunity should be taken to build the evidence-base regarding suicide prevention. Such steps have the potential to maximise the impact of suicide prevention activities in Australia.

Suicide attempts with a focus on Europe

2021 ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
Emma Björkenstam ◽  
Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz ◽  
Armin Schmidtke
Keyword(s):  
Multicentre Study ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Detailed Data ◽  
Background Factors ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Compulsory Registration

The comparison of international statistics on suicide attempts across European countries is challenged by differences in definitions and the lack of compulsory registration. Among studies, the WHO/EURO multicentre study on parasuicide provided comprehensive data on both the occurrence and background factors of suicide attempts in different European countries. Besides the WHO/EURO study, this text summarizes findings from other clinical and community surveys as well as nationwide register data. Additionally, data about the relationship between different components of the suicidal spectrum by examining the WHO Multisite Intervention Study on Suicidal Behaviours (SUPRE-MISS) is presented. Peculiarities of the inter-European variation in patterns and trends of the phenomenon and various social and psychiatric determinants are also described. The WHO/EURO study was continued as the MONSUE (monitoring suicidal behaviour in Europe) study, which supplied even more detailed data on specific risk groups. These can then be supported by tailor-made suicide prevention strategies.

Multilevel approaches in adult suicide prevention

2021 ◽  
pp. 665-670
Author(s):  
Ulrich Hegerl ◽  
Ines Heinz ◽  
Juliane Hug
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Media ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
Multilevel Interventions

The next steps forward in suicide prevention are to learn (i) how to best combine single measures into a multilevel intervention in order to create additive and synergistic effects and (ii) how to implement them in the communities in different cultures and healthcare systems. A narrative review based on findings and experiences from existing community-based multilevel interventions which have provided some evidence for preventive effects on suicidal behaviour is presented. Most multilevel interventions combine training for primary care providers and gatekeepers, public awareness activities, restricting access to lethal means, engaging with the media, and support for high risk groups. However, effects on completed suicides and/or suicide attempts have only been reported for a few interventions. The best evaluated community-based intervention is the four-level programme offered by the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD; implemented in over 115 regions in 15 countries by 2019).

scholarly journals Best Practice Elements of Multilevel Suicide Prevention Strategies

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 319-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis ◽  
Marco Sarchiapone ◽  
Vita Postuvan ◽  
Daniëlle Volker ◽  
Saska Roskar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Practice Elements ◽  
Multilevel Interventions

Background: Evidence-based best practices for incorporation into an optimal multilevel intervention for suicide prevention should be identifiable in the literature. Aims: To identify effective interventions for the prevention of suicidal behavior. Methods: Review of systematic reviews found in the Pubmed, Cochrane, and DARE databases. Steps include risk-of-bias assessment, data extraction, summarization of best practices, and identification of synergistic potentials of such practices in multilevel approaches. Results: Six relevant systematic reviews were found. Best practices identified as effective were as follows: training general practitioners (GPs) to recognize and treat depression and suicidality, improving accessibility of care for at-risk people, and restricting access to means of suicide. Although no outcomes were reported for multilevel interventions or for synergistic effects of multiple interventions applied together, indirect support was found for possible synergies in particular combinations of interventions within multilevel strategies. Conclusions: A number of evidence-based best practices for the prevention of suicide and suicide attempts were identified. Research is needed on the nature and extent of potential synergistic effects of various preventive activities within multilevel interventions.

A Suicide Prevention Strategy for England

Crisis ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Mehlum
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
General Public ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
National Strategy ◽  
Guiding Principles ◽  
National Programs

Summary: Over the last decade an increasing number of countries have established national strategies for suicide prevention. In the autumn of 2002 the suicide prevention strategy for England was presented to the general public, introducing what could be called a second generation of national programs for suicide prevention. This strategy uses evidence-based criteria for its priorities more systematically than before. Furthermore, it has put an increased emphasis on goals being specific, preventive measures being practical, and the preventive potential being visible. Other guiding principles for this strategy are that suicide preventive measures and initiatives should be open to monitoring and evaluation, and that revisions and updates of the national strategy should be made regularly—thus constituting an evolving strategy. This paper examines the content of the new national strategy for suicide prevention in England and what new contributions to the field it may make.

Evidence-based suicide prevention strategies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 795-800
Author(s):  
Danuta Wasserman ◽  
Vladimir Carli
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Impact

Evidence has shown that during times of crises, suicide rates can decrease but tend to increase as the crisis alleviates. The consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, whether direct or indirect, will be far reaching. In this chapter the impact of the pandemic on the risk and protective factors of suicide, grouped according to the socio-ecological model at individual, relationship, community, and society levels, is described. To prevent unnecessary suicides, the effects of Covid-19 pandemic, on health care and public health suicide prevention strategies, and recommendations for implementation are presented.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Australian youth suicide prevention initiatives

2011 ◽  
Vol 199 (5) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Page ◽  
Richard Taylor ◽  
David Gunnell ◽  
Greg Carter ◽  
Stephen Morrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Youth Suicide ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Prevention Activity ◽  
Prevention Activities

BackgroundAfter an epidemic rise in Australian young male suicide rates over the 1970s to 1990s, the period following the implementation of the original National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NYSPS) in 1995 saw substantial declines in suicide in young men.AimsTo investigate whether areas with locally targeted suicide prevention activity implemented after 1995 experienced lower rates of young adult suicide, compared with areas without such activity.MethodLocalities with or without identified suicide prevention activity were compared during the period of the NYSPS implementation (1995–1998) and a period subsequent to implementation (1999–2002) to establish whether annual average suicide rates were lower and declined more quickly in areas with suicide prevention activity over the period 1995–2002.ResultsMale suicide rates were lower in areas with targeted suicide prevention activity (and higher levels of funding) compared with areas receiving no activity both during (RR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.80–0.99,P= 0.030) and after (RR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.96,P= 0.009) implementation, with rates declining faster in areas with targeted activity than in those without (13%v.10% decline). However, these differences were reduced and were no longer statistically significant following adjustment for sociodemographic variables. There was no difference in female suicide rates between areas with or without targeted suicide prevention activity.ConclusionsThere was little discernible impact on suicide rates in areas receiving locally targeted suicide prevention activities in the period following the NYSPS.

scholarly journals Suicide mitigation: a compassionate approach to suicide prevention

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 276-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alys Cole-King ◽  
Gill Green ◽  
Linda Gask ◽  
Kevin Hines ◽  
Stephen Platt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Everyday Clinical Practice ◽  
Suicidal Person ◽  
Do So

SummaryThe death of a patient by suicide can severely affect mental health professionals, particularly if it occurs despite major efforts to intervene. Notwithstanding the difficulties faced by clinicians, suicide prevention remains of paramount importance in order to help save lives. This article seeks to promote a pragmatic and compassionate biopsychosocial response using evidence-based interventions to reduce suicide. It introduces practical strategies that psychiatrists can use in everyday clinical practice, in particular the paradigm shift of suicide mitigation to help prevent suicide. We believe that every encounter with a suicidal person is an opportunity to intervene to reduce their distress and, potentially, to save a life. We believe that it is no longer acceptable for clinicians to state that if patients wish to kill themselves they can do so, in the absence of any attempt at a compassionate intervention.

Is Case Management Effective for Long-Lasting Suicide Prevention?

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang-Jen Wang ◽  
Ya-Wen Wu ◽  
Chih-Ken Chen
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Suicide Survivors ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Prevention Center ◽  
Management Services

Abstract. Background: Case management services have been implemented in suicide prevention programs. Aims: To investigate whether case management is an effective strategy for reducing the risks of repeated suicide attempts and completed suicides in a city with high suicide rates in northern Taiwan. Method: The Suicide Prevention Center of Keelung City (KSPC) was established in April 2005. Subjects included a consecutive sample of individuals (N = 2,496) registered in KSPC databases between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011, with at least one episode of nonfatal self-harm. Subjects were tracked for the duration of the study. Results: Of all the subjects, 1,013 (40.6%) received case management services; 416 (16.7%) had at least one other deliberate self-harm episode and 52 (2.1%) eventually died by suicide. No significant differences were found in the risks of repeated self-harm and completed suicides between suicide survivors who received case management and those who refused the services. However, a significant reduction in suicide rates was found after KSPC was established. Conclusion: Findings suggest that case management services might not reduce the risks of suicide repetition among suicide survivors during long-term follow-up. Future investigation is warranted to determine factors impacting the downward trend of suicide rates.

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