Preventing Suicide in Detention and Correctional Facilities

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert D. Canning ◽  
Joel A. Dvoskin
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Correctional Facilities ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Essential Components

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.

scholarly journals Coroners' records on suicide mortality in Montréal: limitations and implications in suicide prevention strategies

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Houle ◽  
C Guillou-Ouellette
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
The People ◽  
Local Decision ◽  
Local Decision Makers ◽  
Very High

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.

Restricting Access to Methods of Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (S1) ◽  
pp. 4-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Hawton
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Long Term Survivors ◽  
Methods Of Suicide

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.

New Hope for Victims of Prison Sexual Assault

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 602-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Samia Mair ◽  
Shannon Frattaroli ◽  
Stephen P. Teret
Keyword(s):  
Zero Tolerance ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Correctional Facilities ◽  
List Type ◽  
Type Number ◽  
Prison Rape ◽  
Prison Rape Elimination Act ◽  
President Bush ◽  
Unanimous Consent

Senate Bill 1435, the “Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003,” was introduced into the Senate on July 21, 2003, and in less than a week passed both the Senate and House by unanimous consent. The Bill was presented to President Bush on September 2, 2003, and he signed it two days later on September 4, 2003. The stated purposes of the Act are far-reaching and ambitious:(1)establish a zero-tolerance standard for the incidence of prison rape in prisons in the United States;(2)make the prevention of prison rape a top priority in each prison system;(3)develop and implement national standards For the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape;(4)increase the available data and information on the incidence of prison rape, consequently improving the management and administration of correctional facilities;(5)standardize the definitions used for collecting data on the incidence of prison rape;

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.

scholarly journals Beyond EMT 2 Minimum Standards

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s24-s24
Author(s):  
Dianne Stephens ◽  
Jane Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
Minimum Standards ◽  
Accreditation Standards ◽  
Minimum Requirements

Introduction:The World Health Organization’s (WHO) minimum standards are used to verify Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) internationally. The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Center (NCCTRC) was one of the first few EMT 2 verified teams globally.Aim:The NCCTRC aims to innovate and provide leadership in the provision of best practice clinical care in the EMT 2 setting in disaster-affected countries.Methods:The NCCTRC developed a clinical governance framework and committee with a view of improving practice in the deployed environment. A gap analysis against the Australian National Standards was done and a decision was made to proceed with accreditation against the ACHS EQUIP 6 framework.Results:The process of accreditation required a self-assessment that identified gaps in our guidelines and care processes thereby leading to innovative projects to meet the criterion in a sustainable way for the deployed field hospital environment. The NCCTRC has developed adapted clinical tools to manage pressure injury, falls risk, handover, hand hygiene, audits, and consumer feedback.Discussion:The deployed field hospital environment can meet national accreditation standards for clinical care. The WHO minimum standards were introduced in 2013 and serve as a marker of the minimum requirements in the field. The challenge is to do better than the minimum. This study demonstrated that it is possible to adapt hospital accreditation standards to the field environment and provide a higher, safer quality of care to affected populations. EMT teams should maintain their clinical care standards from their home environment wherever possible in the field hospital environment. Striving to provide the best and safest care is the duty of care for vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Suicide prevention in pharmaceutical education: Raising awareness with inspiring stories

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe D. Vincent ◽  
Pierre-Marie David
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Suicide rates are high in high-income countries like Canada and the United States, where 10 to 12 people per 100 000 commit suicide every year. In the United States, in 2011 there were 73.3 emergency room visits per 100 000 people for suicide attempts with prescription drugs. The latter were also involved in 13% of completed suicides between 1999 and 2013. In most cases, these drugs were distributed by members of our profession who could not predict this outcome. This led us to create an initiative to teach pharmacy students how to prevent suicide. A literature review and online search were performed to find documentation about pharmacists' commitment to the cause, but very little information exists. Thus, a training session was developed for third-year pharmacy students that includes basic statistics, arguments for involving pharmacists in suicide prevention, role-playing, tools to evaluate suicide risk, thoughtful verbatims of interview techniques, and case studies. It is delivered during the mental health theme of the psychiatry course. In 5 years, around 1150 students have participated in the course, of whom approximately 950 are now practicing pharmacists. This intervention may have prevented some suicides, although the impact is impossible to measure. The objective of this paper is to describe the creative process of designing a suicide prevention training session for pharmacy students, while inspiring a mental health sensitive readership to this noble cause. This article does not provide guidelines on how to replicate this initiative, nor does this article replace proper training on suicide prevention.

Hanging, Firearm, and Non-Domestic Gas Suicides Among Males: A Comparative Study

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego De Leo ◽  
Diego De Leo ◽  
Russell Evans ◽  
Kerryn Neulinger
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Suicide Note

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.

scholarly journals Suicide prevention and depression apps’ suicide risk assessment and management: a systematic assessment of adherence to clinical guidelines

BMC Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Martinengo ◽  
Louise Van Galen ◽  
Elaine Lum ◽  
Martin Kowalski ◽  
Mythily Subramaniam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Suicidal Thought ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Depression Management

Abstract Background There are an estimated 800,000 suicides per year globally, and approximately 16,000,000 suicide attempts. Mobile apps may help address the unmet needs of people at risk. We assessed adherence of suicide prevention advice in depression management and suicide prevention apps to six evidence-based clinical guideline recommendations: mood and suicidal thought tracking, safety plan development, recommendation of activities to deter suicidal thoughts, information and education, access to support networks, and access to emergency counseling. Methods A systematic assessment of depression and suicide prevention apps available in Google Play and Apple’s App Store was conducted. Apps were identified by searching 42matters in January 2019 for apps launched or updated since January 2017 using the terms “depression,” “depressed,” “depress,” “mood disorders,” “suicide,” and “self-harm.” General characteristics of apps, adherence with six suicide prevention strategies identified in evidence-based clinical guidelines using a 50-question checklist developed by the study team, and trustworthiness of the app based on HONcode principles were appraised and reported as a narrative review, using descriptive statistics. Results The initial search yielded 2690 potentially relevant apps. Sixty-nine apps met inclusion criteria and were systematically assessed. There were 20 depression management apps (29%), 3 (4%) depression management and suicide prevention apps, and 46 (67%) suicide prevention apps. Eight (12%) depression management apps were chatbots. Only 5/69 apps (7%) incorporated all six suicide prevention strategies. Six apps (6/69, 9%), including two apps available in both app stores and downloaded more than one million times each, provided an erroneous crisis helpline number. Most apps included emergency contact information (65/69 apps, 94%) and direct access to a crisis helpline through the app (46/69 apps, 67%). Conclusions Non-existent or inaccurate suicide crisis helpline phone numbers were provided by mental health apps downloaded more than 2 million times. Only five out of 69 depression and suicide prevention apps offered all six evidence-based suicide prevention strategies. This demonstrates a failure of Apple and Google app stores, and the health app industry in self-governance, and quality and safety assurance. Governance levels should be stratified by the risks and benefits to users of the app, such as when suicide prevention advice is provided.

scholarly journals Exploring Lived Experiences of Adolescents Presenting with Self-Harm and Their Views about Suicide Prevention Strategies: A Qualitative Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4694
Author(s):  
Anum Naz ◽  
Amna Naureen ◽  
Tayyeba Kiran ◽  
Omair Husain ◽  
Ayesha Minhas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Self Harm

Suicide is a serious global public health problem and the third leading cause of death in those 15–35 years old. Self-harm is the major predictor of future suicide attempts and completed suicide yet remains poorly understood. There is limited evidence on effective interventions for adolescents who present with self-harm. To identify and develop acceptable preventive and therapeutic interventions it is essential to understand the factors that contribute to self-harm and suicide in young people, in the context of their emotions, interpersonal difficulties, available support and prevention strategies. This qualitative study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of adolescents presenting with self-harm and their views about potential prevention strategies. Semi-structured interviews with 16 adolescents (12–18 years) presenting with a self-harm episode in a public hospital in Pakistan. A topic guide was developed to facilitate the interviews. The following themes emerged using the framework analysis; predisposing factors (interpersonal conflicts, emotional crisis etc.), regret and realization that self-harm is not the only option, perceived impact of self-harm, and suggestions for suicide prevention strategies (sharing, distraction techniques, involvement of family). This study may help in refining a contextual and culturally based explanatory model of self-harm in adolescents and in informing development of culturally acceptable interventions.

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