Suicidal Ideation and Behaviours among University Students in Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Schweitzer ◽  
John McLean ◽  
Michael Klayich

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and demographic correlates of suicidal ideation and behaviours among university students in Australia and the utilisation of mental health services by this population. Method: Suicidal ideation and behaviours and demographic variables were assessed in a population of 1,678 undergraduate students by use of a modified Suicide Ideation Scale (SIS) and questionnaire. Results: Sixty two percent of students surveyed showed some suicidal ideation and 6.6% reported one or more suicide attempts. Over half of the group who reported suicide attempts did not use any type of mental health services. Suicidal ideation was found to be highly correlated with previous use of mental health services. In examining the relationship between suicidal ideation (SI) and demographic variables, SI was not significantly different for gender or parental marital status but was related to living arrangements, racial groups, religious affiliation and father's education. Conclusions: The results suggest that a higher proportion of students reported suicidal ideation and behaviours than that documented in related studies undertaken in the USA. While these findings draw attention to a higher level of suicidal ideation in students who utilise mental health assistance, more than half of those who reported suicide attempts did not use any kind of mental health service. The study has particular implications for detecting and assisting young people with a high suicide risk within the university environment.

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1181-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
WEN-HUNG KUO ◽  
J. J. GALLO ◽  
A. Y. TIEN

Background. Utilizing a prospectively designed community sample, we set out to estimate the rate of newly-incident suicidal ideation and attempts (non-fatal suicide behaviour) in a community sample, to evaluate antecedent sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric disorders, and to assess use of mental health services in relation to non-fatal suicide behaviour.Method. Prospectively-gathered data was utilized from 3481 continuing participants in the 13-year follow-up of the Baltimore sample of the NIMH Epidemiologic Catchment Area survey interviewed in 1981, 1982 and 1993/6.Results. The incidence of suicide attempts was estimated at 148·8 per 100000 person-years and ideation at 419·9 per 100000 person-years. Persons in the youngest age group, in the lowest socio-economic status, and previously married persons were at increased risk for non-fatal suicide behaviour during the follow-up interval. Persons who reported suicidal ideation at baseline were more likely to report having attempted suicide at follow-up (RR = 6·09, 95% CI 2·58–14·36). Psychiatric disorders, especially depression and substance abuse, were associated with new-onset of non-fatal suicidal behaviour. While persons who reported newly-incident suicidal behaviour were more likely to report use of mental health services, few said that suicidal ideation or attempts were the reason for the visits.Conclusions. Suicidal ideation is a common and important antecedent to suicide attempts and deserves more attention in community and general medical settings.


2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwao Oshima ◽  
Eri Kuno

Aims: In Japan psychiatric hospitals and family play the predominant roles in caring for people with serious mental illness. This study explored how the introduction of community-based care has changed this situation by examining living arrangements of individuals with schizophrenia who were treated in one of the most progressive systems in Japan (Kawasaki) compared with national norms. Methods: The proportion of clients with schizophrenia in the community versus hospital and living arrangements for those in the community were compared between the Kawasaki and national treated population, using data from the Kawasaki psychiatric service users survey in 1993 and two national surveys in 1993 and 1983. The variation in living arrangements was examined across five different age cohorts. Results: The estimated national population was 36.7, which was similar to 32.7 clients per 10,000 population in Kawasaki. Some 71% of the Kawasaki clients were treated in the community compared with 55% nationally. The difference between the Kawasaki and national populations was the largest among clients aged 40 to 59. The Kawasaki community clients had a higher proportion of clients living alone. Conclusions: The community mental health services available in Kawasaki appeared to reduce hospitalisation and help clients to live alone in the community.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S173-S174
Author(s):  
V. Bhavsar ◽  
M. Hotopf ◽  
J. Boydell ◽  
S. Hatch ◽  

IntroductionUnemployment is a risk factor for later development of mental health problems, but characterisation of this in real world clinical data is limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between employment status and time-to-first-contact with mental health services using survey data linked to electronic health records(EHR).MethodsSELCoH (n = 1698, 2008–2010) was a representative population survey of South East London, with a 71.9% household participation rate. Anonymised survey data for participants was linked with EHR, generating survival data for time-to-first-contact. Cox regression was used to assess associations between unemployment and time to first contact with mental health services.ResultsThe rate in the unemployed was 22.84 contacts per 1000 person-years, and in those not unemployed, it was 10 contacts per 1000 person-years. The crude (age-adjusted) hazard ratio (HR) for unemployment was 3.09 (95% CI: 1.66–5.75). The HR for contact for unemployment, after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity and education, was 2.8 (95% CI: 1.44–5.47). On addition of symptoms of common mental disorder, post-traumatic stress, psychosis and suicide attempts, to the model, unemployed participants remained at elevated risk (HR:2.65, 95% CI: 1.33–5.27). Finally, illicit drugs and alcohol had minimal influence on estimates, giving a fully-adjusted estimate for the association between unemployment and rate of contact of 2.6 (95% CI: 1.31–5.14).ConclusionsUnemployment was associated with a greater than two-fold increase in risk of accessing mental health care for the first time within the observation time, after adjustment for sociodemographic confounders, psychopathology, and substance use. Explanations for this association could include unobserved confounding, health behaviours associated with unemployment or effects of unemployment on stress processing.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S149-S150
Author(s):  
Amanda Rose ◽  
Alan D Gilbertson ◽  
Heather Belacic ◽  
John Crow

Abstract Introduction In response to NIH recommendations and ABA verification standards, a protocol was initiated to screen adult burn patients in an outpatient verified burn center for depression and suicidality. It utilized the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a widely recognized depression screening tool. The protocol dictated patients scoring 10 or greater, or endorsing the suicide risk question would require further assessment. This project was part of a quality improvement initiative to assess initiating the protocol, identifying at-risk patients, and making appropriate referrals. Methods The initial visit of adults (ages 19 and over) seen over a one year period were retrospectively reviewed. For adults screening positive in the EMR, a Data Collection Form was completed gathering information on PHQ-9 scores, mental health treatment and diagnosis, and burn injuries. Results There were 748 adults seen for an initial visit at the burn center, ages 19–85, 61% men and 39% women. Of those patients, 572 had a PHQ-9 score documented in the EMR, demonstrating a 76% compliance rate with administration. Of those screened, 52 met criteria for inclusion by scoring 10 or greater or endorsing the suicide risk question on the PHQ-9. Scoring ranges on the PHQ-9 were as follows (N=52): 15.4% mild; 50% moderate; 19.2% moderate-severe; and 15.4% severe. Sixty percent of patients endorsed some suicidal ideation. Fifty two percent of patients were documented clearly as being on psychotropic medication or in specialized mental health services. Results were reviewed or discussed with patients in 81% of the initial visit notes. Nineteen of the 52 patients were offered a referral for mental health services. Conclusions Initiating this protocol creates an opportunity to begin conversations about mental health and offer additional support to patients. Approximately 9% of the outpatients screened at the burn center endorsed significant symptoms of depression and or suicidal ideation. Nearly half of these patients were not actively receiving treatment for these symptoms and could potentially benefit from mental health services. This project highlighted that compliance with administering and documenting the PHQ-9 and referral for follow-up services could be improved at this institution. Applicability of Research to Practice This protocol supports the need for continued evaluation and screening for depression and suicide risk in adult burn patients. Consideration should be given for monitoring other mental health conditions that could create barriers to care or compliance with treatment, such as anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, etc.


2021 ◽  
pp. 070674372110366
Author(s):  
Brianna J. Turner ◽  
Christina L. Robillard ◽  
Megan E. Ames ◽  
Stephanie G. Craig

Objective In light of recent evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in marked increases in depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health concerns among Canadian adolescents, we investigated the rates of self-harm thoughts and behaviours in this population. Specifically, this study explored: (1) the demographic and geographic distributions of suicidal ideation (SI) and deliberate self-harm (DSH), and (2) the associations of mental health and substance use with SI and DSH. Method A total of 809 Canadian adolescents, aged 12–18 years, completed an online survey between June 17, 2020 and July 31, 2020. Results 44% of adolescents reported experiencing SI since the pandemic began, while 32% reported engaging in DSH. SI and DSH were more common among youth who: identified as transgender, non-binary or gender fluid; who did not reside with both parents; and who reported psychiatric concerns or frequent cannabis use. Conclusion Canadian adolescents appear to be experiencing higher rates of self-harm thoughts and behaviours relative to before the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important for adults who are likely to interact with distressed youth to be aware of potential warning signs that a youth is struggling with self-harm, and to refer youth to specialty mental health services where appropriate.


Author(s):  
Maryana Guimarães de Morais ◽  
Isabella Morais Arantes de Oliveira e Silva ◽  
Estela Ribeiro Versiani ◽  
Claudia Cardoso Gomes da Silva ◽  
Ana Socorro de Moura

Abstract: Introduction: Considering the high prevalence of mental health problems among medical students, medical schools should be ethically committed to promote student’s mental health, offering health services and prevention strategies. Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to identify scientific publications on mental health services offered by Brazilian universities to medical students, as well as the professionals involved and the types of interventions most often offered. Method: Systematic literature review, following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). The Scielo, PubMed/Medline, Lilacs, ERIC, The Cochrane Library and CAPES databases were searched for studies published until August 2020, as well as theses and dissertations. The studies were screened, selected, analyzed and relevant data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Results: 16 studies were included. The identified mental health services resort to different strategies towards a common goal of promoting medical students’ mental health. The interventions most frequently found in these services are brief psychotherapy, psychiatric care, psychological-educational guidance and mentoring programs. Most services were created to attend medical students and some of these have been extended to other undergraduate students. In the analyzed services, there is a predominance of multidisciplinary teams, which differ regarding the number and categories of professionals involved. Conclusion: Mental health support services for medical students in Brazil differ both in terms of how they work within the institutions and in terms of the involved professionals. It was observed that publications on these services are scarce when compared to the number of institutions that offer the undergraduate medical course in Brazil. Aiming to expand and consolidate actions aimed at promoting medical students’ mental health in Brazilian higher education institutions, further research on this topic is required.


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle Wessel Andersson ◽  
Solfrid E. Lilleeng ◽  
Torleif Ruud ◽  
Solveig Osborg Ose

Abstract Background Suicidal ideation may signal potential risk for future suicidal behaviors and death. We examined the prevalence of recent suicidal ideation in patients with mental illness and concurrent substance use and explored the clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with suicidal ideation in this patient subgroup, which represents a particular risk group for adverse psychiatric outcomes. Methods We used national cross-sectional census data in Norway collected from 25,525 patients in specialized mental health services. The analytic sample comprised 3,842 patients with concurrent substance use, defined as having a co-morbid substance use disorder or who reported recent regular alcohol use/occasional illicit drug use. Data included suicidal ideation measured in relation to the current treatment episode, sociodemographic characteristics and ICD-10 diagnoses. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine differential characteristics between patients with and without suicidal ideation. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 25.8%. The suicidal ideation rates were particularly high for those with personality disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression, and for alcohol and sedatives compared with other substances. Patients with suicidal ideation were characterized by being younger, having single marital status, and having poorly perceived social relationships with family and friends. Conclusion Suicidal ideation in patients with mental illness and concurrent substance use was associated with a number of distinct characteristics. These results might help contribute to an increased focus on a subgroup of individuals at particular risk for suicidality and support suicide prevention efforts in specialized mental health services.


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