scholarly journals Problematic Advice From Suicide Prevention Experts

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Hjelmeland ◽  
Katrina Jaworski ◽  
Birthe L. Knizek ◽  
Ian Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
The Many ◽  
Suicide Prevention Programs

Based on a 10-year systematic review of suicide prevention strategies, “29 suicide prevention experts from 17 European countries” recommend 4 allegedly evidence-based strategies to be included in national suicide prevention programs. One of the recommended strategies is pharmacological treatment of depression. This recommendation is problematic for several reasons. First, it is based on a biased selection and interpretation of available evidence. Second, the authors have failed to take into consideration the widespread corruption in the research on antidepressants. Third, the many and serious side effects of antidepressants are not considered. Thus, the recommendation may have deleterious consequences for countless numbers of people, and, in fact, contribute to an increase in the suicide rate rather than a decrease.

Suicide

2020 ◽  
pp. 363-380
Author(s):  
Danuta Wasserman ◽  
Marcus Sokolowski ◽  
Vladimir Carli
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Physician Education ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Iatrogenic Effects ◽  
School Based ◽  
Prevention Programmes

Suicide is a leading cause of death and is preventable. This chapter identifies landmark papers from three areas within the field of suicide prevention that are important for trainees, experienced clinicians, and policymakers alike. Firstly, it reviews papers on evidence-based suicide prevention strategies. Physician education, pharmacological and psychotherapy treatments, school-based suicide prevention programmes, and means of suicide restriction are found to be effective in preventing suicidal behaviours. Suicide prevention strategies that require further research on efficacy are identified, along with directions for future research. Secondly, several papers are analysed providing evidence that talking about suicide does not cause iatrogenic effects. Suicide research and prevention should not be hindered due to unsubstantiated concerns. Lastly, a paper discussing the genetics of suicidal behaviour provides an understanding of the diathesis of suicide. These landmark papers highlight the importance of suicide prevention and inform future research.

scholarly journals Suicide Prevention: An Issue of Social Justice

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-79
Author(s):  
John S. Westefeld
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Human Service ◽  
Political Action ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Major Significance ◽  
Suicide Prevention Programs

The concept of social justice has assumed major significance in the human service professions, as suicide rates have increased. However, social justice remains a difficult concept to define. This article explores definitions of social justice, as well as the intersection of social justice and suicide prevention. A review of suicide prevention programs is presented, including both systemic prevention programs and individual prevention strategies. This evolves into a discussion concerning why suicide prevention is in fact a very significant social justice issue. Finally, implications for mental health professionals, including counseling psychologists, the profession that originated this journal, are examined, and suggestions for future issues of focus related to the intersection of suicide prevention and social justice are presented. To take a social justice approach to suicide prevention, it is suggested that an interdisciplinary structure be utilized to maximize political action.

Adolescent Suicide Myths in the United States

Crisis ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 176-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Ann Moskos ◽  
Jennifer Achilles ◽  
Doug Gray
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Suicide Prevention Programs

Abstract: In the United States, teen suicide rates tripled over several decades, but have declined slightly since the mid-1990s. Suicide, by its nature, is a complex problem. Many myths have developed about individuals who complete suicide, suicide risk factors, current prevention programs, and the treatment of at-risk youth. The purpose of this article is to address these myths, to separate fact from fiction, and offer recommendations for future suicide prevention programs. Myth #1: Suicide attempters and completers are similar. Myth #2: Current prevention programs work. Myth #3: Teenagers have the highest suicide rate. Myth #4: Suicide is caused by family and social stress. Myth #5: Suicide is not inherited genetically. Myth #6: Teen suicide represents treatment failure. Psychiatric illnesses are often viewed differently from other medical problems. Research should precede any public health effort, so that suicide prevention programs can be designed, implemented, and evaluated appropriately. Too often suicide prevention programs do not use evidence-based research or practice methodologies. More funding is warranted to continue evidence-based studies. We propose that suicide be studied like any medical illness, and that future prevention efforts are evidence-based, with appropriate outcome measures.

Suicide prevention strategies revisited: 10-year systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
pp. 646-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gil Zalsman ◽  
Keith Hawton ◽  
Danuta Wasserman ◽  
Kees van Heeringen ◽  
Ella Arensman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Prevention Strategies

Are There Unique Features of Suicide in Adults of Different Ages and Developmental Stages?

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lester
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Organic Brain ◽  
Suicide Prevention Programs

Differences between the suicidal behavior of younger adults and the elderly are reviewed, and their implications for suicide prevention efforts examined. Elderly suicides use more lethal methods, are more often diagnosed with affective disorder and organic brain syndrome, and have experienced less recent stress than younger adults. It is concluded that psychiatric treatment of depression and restricting access to lethal methods for suicide are more useful tactics for suicide prevention programs in the elderly, and that crisis counseling from suicide prevention centers and educational programs are more useful in younger adults.

scholarly journals Empirically Evaluated Suicide Prevention Program Approaches for Older Adults: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 859-860
Author(s):  
Vivian Miller ◽  
Noelle Fields ◽  
Ling Xu ◽  
Marta Mercado-Sierra ◽  
Marissa Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Suicide Prevention Programs

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.

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.

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