scholarly journals Sustaining suicide prevention programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities and Tribal health centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 263348952110570
Author(s):  
E.E. Haroz ◽  
L. Wexler ◽  
S.M. Manson ◽  
M. Cwik ◽  
V.M. O’Keefe ◽  
...  

Background: Research on sustaining community-based interventions is limited. This is particularly true for suicide prevention programs and in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) settings. Aiming to inform research in this area, this paper sought to identify factors and strategies that are key to sustain suicide prevention efforts in AIAN communities. Methods: We used a modified Nominal Group Technique with a purposeful sample of N = 35 suicide prevention research experts, program implementors and AIAN community leaders to develop a list of prioritized factors and sustainability strategies. We then compared this list with the Public Health Program Capacity for Sustainability Framework (PHPCSF) to examine the extent the factors identified aligned with the existing literature. Results: Major factors identified included cultural fit of intervention approaches, buy in from local communities, importance of leadership and policy making, and demonstrated program success. Strategies to promote these factors included partnership building, continuous growth of leadership, policy development, and ongoing strategic planning and advocacy. All domains of the PHPCF were representative, but additional factors and strategies were identified that emerged as important in AIAN settings. Conclusions: Sustaining effective and culturally informed suicide prevention efforts is of paramount importance to prevent suicide and save lives. Future research will focus on generating empirical evidence of these strategies and their effectiveness at promoting program sustainability in AIAN communities.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 859-860
Author(s):  
Vivian Miller ◽  
Noelle Fields ◽  
Ling Xu ◽  
Marta Mercado-Sierra ◽  
Marissa Wallace

Abstract Suicide is a serious public health concern, particularly for individuals in later life. Studies suggest that greater attention to suicide prevention programs for older adults is needed as well as continued research related to interventions with older adults at risk of attempting suicide. A systematic review of the literature on suicide prevention treatment and effectiveness is fundamental to assessing existing services and developing new programs and practice standards. This systematic review of the literature extends an earlier and well-cited systematic review (1966-2009) by examining articles published between 2009 and 2021 with a focus on what types of empirically evaluated suicide prevention programs effectively prevent and reduce suicidality in older adults. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to gather the appropriate extant research and improve reporting accuracy. A three-stage review guided the selection of the articles. At stage one, titles were screened, which excluded 284 articles based on the inclusion criteria. Second, after a full review of each abstract, a final 14 articles remained for full-text review. Lastly, three independent researchers reviewed each of the full-text articles, and six articles were excluded. The final sample includes eight articles (N=8). The articles were categorized into three types of programs: 1) primary and home health care, 2) community-based outreach, and 3) counseling. Following a description of the articles, the authors assessed each study using the GRADE rating system. Findings underscore the critical need for evidence-based suicide prevention programs for older adults. Implications for future research are offered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 737-742
Author(s):  
Olivier Ferlatte ◽  
Travis Salway ◽  
John L. Oliffe ◽  
Elizabeth M. Saewyc ◽  
Cindy Holmes ◽  
...  

Abstract Suicide is a significant health issue among sexual and gender minority adults (SGMA); yet, there are no tailored suicide prevention programs for these marginalized populations in Canada. We hosted two world cafés with community leaders, health professionals, policymakers, and researchers to identify recommendations for mobilizing SGMA-focused suicide prevention programs. We identified five priorities: (1) make society safer for sexual and gender minorities; (2) decrease barriers to mental health services; (3) support community-driven and community-based interventions; (4) increase suicide knowledge and reduce stigma; (5) expand the knowledge base on SGMA suicide. In the absence of a national Canadian SGMA suicide prevention policy, these priorities provide a starting point in addressing SGMA suicide inequities by advancing SGMA-tailored interventions.


Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Klimes-Dougan ◽  
David A. Klingbeil ◽  
Sarah J. Meller

Background: While the ultimate goal of adolescent suicide-prevention efforts is to decrease the incidence of death by suicide, a critical intermediary goal is directing youths toward effective sources of assistance. Aim: To comprehensively review the universal prevention literature and examine the effects of universal prevention programs on student’s attitudes and behaviors related to help-seeking. Method: We systematically reviewed studies that assessed help-seeking outcomes including prevention efforts utilizing (1) psychoeducational curricula, (2) gatekeeper training, and (3) public service messaging directed at youths. Of the studies reviewed, 17 studies evaluated the help-seeking outcomes. These studies were identified through a range of sources (e.g., searching online databases, examining references of published articles on suicide prevention). Results: The results of this review suggest that suicide-prevention programming has a limited impact on help-seeking behavior. Although there was some evidence that suicide-prevention programs had a positive impact on students’ help-seeking attitudes and behaviors, there was also evidence of no effects or iatrogenic effects. Sex and risk status were moderators of program effects on students help-seeking. Conclusions: Caution is warranted when considering which suicidal prevention interventions best optimize the intended goals. The impact on adolescents’ help-seeking behavior is a key concern for educators and mental-health professionals.


Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Auzoult ◽  
Sid Abdellaoui

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.


1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Hazell ◽  
Ray King

A paper based on a workshop presented to the Suicide Prevention Australia conference, ‘Suicide. Who Cares?’, on 15 March 1995 in Sydney Objective: To present arguments for and against the provision of curriculum-based suicide prevention programs in schools. Method: The authors developed their arguments independently, based on the available literature on school-based programs, prior to debating the topic at a national conference on suicide prevention. Results: The rationale for school-based programs is that the school has the responsibility: to resolve problems that interfere with education; to teach health education; and to acknowledge a duty of care to parents and to the community as well as to youth. Primary prevention programs in schools are not aimed at so-called ‘at-risk’ students, but potential ‘helpers’, based on the knowledge that peers are a primary support for troubled adolescents. One measure of the efficacy of school-based prevention programs must be the extent to which there is an increase in the tendency for adolescents to turn to adults for help. There is ample evidence that increasing the tendency for adolescents to approach adults for help is achievable. The argument against such programs is that evidence from evaluation research suggests that they are ineffective, inefficient, not universally acceptable, and of questionable safety. Conclusions: Those persuaded by the positive argument will wish to see these programs adopted in all Australian secondary schools. Those persuaded by the negative argument will recommend that suicide prevention resources be allocated to activities other than school-based suicide education programs.


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