scholarly journals A Narrative Review of Suicide: Aiming at a More Encompassing Understanding

Philosophies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Luís Madeira ◽  
Ana Teresa Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Mental Health Worker ◽  
Psychological Pain ◽  
Her Family ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Commit Suicide

The suicide experience combines despair with the perception of suicide as the last option to alter its suffering effectively and actively. Shneidman’s phenomenology understands the suicidal mind in terms of psychological pain, as opposed to focusing on the individual context. This article aims to meet and review information from articles and books published in the area of the Phenomenology of Suicide, mostly between 2017 and 2021. By integrating and relating the different philosophical perspectives of the patient, his or her family, and the mental health worker, it is intended to identify emotions that are common to different groups affected by suicide, regardless of the context, experiences, and means used to commit suicide. The phenomenological description of self-determination experienced in suicide helps to improve the understanding of the suicidal mind, which can be useful in understanding questions that relate to issues such as assisted suicide and suicide prevention. The management of post-suicide consequences, especially the stigma, a cross-cutting challenge for all these groups, benefits from the specialized support of health professionals, either through psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy or support groups.

scholarly journals Consumer-run services research and implications for mental health care

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 410-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Segal ◽  
S. L. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Mental Health Consumers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Mental health consumers/survivors developed consumer-run services (CRSs) as alternatives to disempowering professionally run services that limited participant self-determination. The objective of the CRS is to promote recovery outcomes, not to cure or prevent mental illness. Recovery outcomes pave the way to a satisfying life as defined by the individual consumer despite repetitive episodes of disorder. Recovery is a way of life, which through empowerment, hope, self-efficacy, minimisation of self-stigma, and improved social integration, may offer a path to functional improvement that may lead to a better way to manage distress and minimise the impact of illness episodes. ‘Nothing about us without us’ is the defining objective of the process activity that defines self-help. It is the giving of agency to participants. Without such process there is a real question as to whether an organisation is a legitimate CRS or simply a non-governmental organisation run by a person who claims lived experience. In considering the effectiveness of CRSs, fidelity should be defined by the extent to which the organisation's process conveys agency. Unidirectional helping often does for people what they can do for themselves, stealing agency. The consequence of the lack of fidelity in CRSs to the origins of the self-help movement has been a general finding in multisite studies of no or little difference in outcomes attributable to the consumer service. This, from the perspective of the research summarised herein, results in the mixing of programmatic efforts, some of which enhance outcomes as they are true mutual assistance programmes and some of which degrade outcomes as they are unidirectional, hierarchical, staff-directed helping efforts making false claims to providing agency. The later CRS interventions may provoke disappointment and additional failure. The indiscriminate combining of studies produces the average: no effect.

Loneliness and aging in China–a public health problem in need of solutions

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1771-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shulin Chen ◽  
Yeates Conwell ◽  
Helen Fung Kum Chiu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Her Family ◽  
The Individual

Loneliness is a common, distressing feeling that results when one perceives his/her social relationships and supports as inadequate. Social connectedness refers to the relationships between the individual and his or her family, friends, community, and other supports. Neither loneliness nor social connectedness has received enough research attention, in particular with regard to older adults’ physical and mental health.

Reconfiguring Responsibility in International Clinical Trials

2020 ◽  
pp. 168-195
Author(s):  
Ike Valentine Iyioke
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Ethical Principles ◽  
Her Family ◽  
American Intellectual ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Other Regarding

This chapter aims to prominently position the African philosophical notion of the self within the clinical trials context (and the larger bioethics project). As opposed to autonomy-based principlism, this other-regarding or communalist perspective is proposed as the preferred alternative model. The intent is to draw further attention to the inadequacy of the principlist approach particularly in multicultural settings. It also engenders a rethink, stimulates interest, and re-assesses the failed assumptions of universal ethical principles. As a novel attempt that runs against much of the prevailing (Euro-American) intellectual mood, this approach strives to introduce the African viewpoint by making explicit the import of the self in a re-contextualized (nay, globalized) arena. Viewed as such, research ethics is guided to go beyond autonomy-based considerations for the individual with absolute right to self-determination; to embrace more holistic-based approach, recognizing that the individual is embedded in his/her family, community, and the environment.

Suicidal behavior in Indian adolescents

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Samuel ◽  
Leo Sher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Indian Culture ◽  
Indian Adolescents ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Commit Suicide

Abstract Suicide is both a public and mental health problem, and is a leading cause of deaths, especially among adolescents. Two factors that contribute to the decision of adolescents to commit suicide are having a primary mood disorder and/or substance use. In the Indian culture, the family unit has both a positive and negative impact on suicide. The family serves as a protective factor that provides a strong support for the individual, but alternately creates an inseparable individual when seeking mental health care, which often complicates the situation. Due to the stigma, Indians typically perceive having a mental illness as shameful. Religion is integral to the Indian culture so much so that individuals often use herbal remedies, seek help from religious leaders, and attend religious establishments prior to obtaining a mental health evaluation in those that are subsequently deemed as mentally ill. Despite the fact that suicides are underreported and misdiagnosed in India, it is known that the highest rates are among those <30 years old. The methods most commonly used to commit suicide in India include the ingestion of poison (often pesticides), hanging, burning, and drowning. When immigrating, Indians tend to switch the methods they use to commit suicide from ingestion of poison to hanging, which may reflect a lack of available poisonous substances or the influence of the host culture. Considering the high suicide rates in adolescents, the importance of providing psychoeducation, restricting access to lethal means, and promoting social integration in immigrants are various ways by which suicides in Indian adolescents can be avoided.

scholarly journals Along the Italian route of End-of-life: the latest judicial evolution on assisted suicide

Bioethica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Teresa Andreani
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Pharmacological Therapy ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
End Of Life Issues ◽  
The Individual

In the last three decades, the dilemma of End-of-Life is one of the most disputed bio-juridical questions Italy is confronting with. By raising highly sensitive ethical, legal and political dilemmas, it has deeply divided the Italian society, the scientific community and the political arena. In the context of a raging controversy, the Italian Parliament has opted for silence. Thus, an evolutive, judicial route has marked the legal frame in response to numerous, concrete demands of recognition of the freedom of self-determination and value of dignity in the final phase of life. In this review article, an overview of the judicial evolution of the complex mosaic of end-of-life issues will be firstly offered through three cases, pillars on which the latest judicial evolution on assisted suicide lays its foundations. Secondly, the issue of assisted suicide will be singularly addressed through the examination of the Cappato case which has outlined the path for the historical ruling of the Italian Constitutional Court, no'242 of 2019 on the constitutional illegitimacy of the crime of assistance to suicide under article 580 of the Italian Criminal Code. Precisely, the Court has pointed out several, concurrent requirements in presence of which an active conduct directly connected with suicide is not criminally relevant: the autonomous and free formation of the individual will, the irreversible nature of the disease, the ongoing practice of a life-saving treatment, the intolerability of the physical or psychological sufferings and the mental capacity to self-determination. Among the numerous, emerging, interpretative questions, the latest Trentini case, in which the requirement of life-saving treatment has been interpreted as inclusive of pharmacological therapy and of every material, sanitary life-saving assistance, will be further evaluated. Conclusively, a cross section of the fragile interplay between the legislative power and the judiciary power will be depicted in reference to the main open interpretative questions related to the enforcement of the constitutional ruling and a portrait of the upcoming scenerios, as the existing legislative drafts and the prepositive referendum question, will be concisely examined.

The Importance of Aphasia Community Programs in Supporting Self-Determination in PWA

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjorie Nicholas
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Community Programs ◽  
Community Centers ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
The Individual

Aphasia support groups and aphasia community centers have been increasing in number over the past 2 decades in the United States and abroad. Participation in these innovative community programs can support the process of self-determination in people with aphasia. In this article, I discuss specific examples of how this occurs and, in addition, review the Living With Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement (A-FROM) model (Kagan et al., 2008) as a useful way to conceptualize the individual benefits that people with aphasia (PWA) may receive from participation in aphasia community centers. The article concludes with a case presentation exemplifying the multi-level benefits achieved from participating in aphasia community programs.

Contrasting Views and Experiences of Health Professionals on the Management of Comorbid Substance Misuse and Mental Disorders

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Kavanagh ◽  
Lea Greenaway ◽  
Linda Jenner ◽  
John B. Saunders ◽  
Angela White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Management Problem ◽  
Mental Health Staff ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Wide Range

Objectives: To determine opinions and experiences of health professionals concerning the management of people with comorbid substance misuse and mental health disorders. Method: We conducted a survey of staff from mental health services and alcohol and drug services across Queensland. Survey items on problems and potential solutions had been generated by focus groups. Results: We analysed responses from 112 staff of alcohol and drug services and 380 mental health staff, representing a return of 79%% and 42%% respectively of the distributed surveys. One or more issues presented a substantial clinical management problem for 98%% of respondents. Needs for increased facilities or services for dual disorder clients figured prominently. These included accommodation or respite care, work and rehabilitation programs, and support groups and resource materials for families. Needs for adolescent dual diagnosis services and after-hours alcohol and drug consultations were also reported. Each of these issues raised substantial problems for over 70%% of staff. Another set of problems involved coordination of client care across mental health and alcohol and drug services, including disputes over duty of care. Difficulties with intersectoral liaison were more pronounced for alcohol and drug staff than for mental health. A majority of survey respondents identified 13 solutions as practical. These included routine screening for dual diagnosis at intake, and a range of proposals for closer intersectoral communication such as exchanging client information, developing shared treatment plans, conducting joint case conferences and offering consultation facilities. Conclusions: A wide range of problems for the management of comorbid disorders were identified. While solution of some problems will require resource allocation, many may be addressed by closer liaison between existing services.

Reconfiguring Responsibility in International Clinical Trials

2018 ◽  
pp. 187-211
Author(s):  
Ike Valentine Iyioke
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
View Point ◽  
Her Family ◽  
American Intellectual ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Other Regarding

This chapter aims to prominently position the African philosophical notion of the self within the clinical trials context (and the larger bioethics project). As opposed to autonomy-based principlism, this other-regarding or communalist perspective is proposed as the preferred alternative model. The intent is to draw further attention to the inadequacy of the principlist approach particularly in multicultural settings. It also engenders a rethink, stimulates interest, and re-assesses the failed assumptions of universal ethical principles. As a novel attempt that runs against much of the prevailing (Euro-American) intellectual mood, this approach strives to introduce the African view point by making explicit the import of the self in a re-contextualized (nay, globalized) arena. Viewed as such, research ethics is guided to go beyond autonomy-based considerations for the individual with absolute right to self-determination; to embrace more holistic-based approach, recognizing that the individual is embedded in his/her family, community, and the environment.

Knowing Your Early Warning Signs and Preventing a Relapse

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Beth Broussard ◽  
Michael T. Compton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Early Warning Signs

This chapter explains early warning signs, which are mild symptoms that occur before another episode of illness, or a relapse. To help prevent a relapse, young people can stick with treatment, watch for early warning signs, and work with their mental health professional to intervene promptly. Young people can identify their unique warning signs by thinking back to the time just before the first episode to identify the two or three early warning signs that they should watch for. Family, friends, and mental health professionals can help identify the changes they observed as well. Open communication between the young person and his or her family, friends, and mental health professionals is important when early warning signs start to occur. By carefully monitoring early warning signs, young people, their families, and their mental health professionals can work together to help lessen the severity of any future episode of psychosis that a person may have—or prevent a relapse altogether.

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