scholarly journals Removing Barriers to Treatment: Evaluation of a Youth Suicide Prevention Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-159
Author(s):  
Franci Crepeau-Hobson ◽  
James Estes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Youth Suicide ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

This study examined the effectiveness of a suicide prevention program that provides free and accessible counseling services to suicidal youth. Children and adolescents who underwent a suicide risk assessment at a Colorado school (n = 99) were referred for counseling through the Second Wind Fund (SWF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide. Each of these clients presented with at least 1 barrier to treatment such as no or inadequate insurance or lack of transportation. Through SWF, clients received up to 12 counseling sessions at no charge. Clients ranged from 8 to 18 years of age. Of the 99 clients, 93 completed the Suicide Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-Jr) at the beginning and end of treatment. Results indicated that SIQ-Jr scores were significantly lower at the end of treatment. Follow-up surveys were sent to referral sources at the end of the subsequent school year to examine longer-term effectiveness of SWF services. The majority of clients did not require any additional intervention and none went on to die by suicide. Study results indicate that the removal of financial and social barriers can increase access to and participation in treatment and reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Implications for practice, including suicide risk assessment and outside referrals are discussed.

scholarly journals Escalas de evaluación de riesgo suicida en atención primaria

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 707-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Ximena Rangel-Garzón ◽  
María Fernanda Suárez-Beltrán ◽  
Franklin Escobar-Córdoba
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Scale

<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Antecedentes.</strong> El médico de atención primaria debe decidir qué hacer con un paciente que ha atentado contra su vida o manifiesta ideación suicida. Posiblemente puede interconsultar a psiquiatría; sin embargo, ocasionalmente esto se difiere. </span></p><p class="p1"><strong>Objetivo.</strong> Encontrar un instrumento de evaluación del riesgo suicida en adultos que pueda ser aplicado por el médico general en el servicio de urgencias.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Materiales y métodos.</strong> Revisión de la literatura en PubMed con los términos MeSH: ‘suicide’, ‘risk assessment’ y ‘scales’; se encontraron 270 artículos a los que se les analizaron los abstract y finalmente se incluyeron 24 estudios. </p><p class="p1"><strong>Resultados.</strong> Se encontraron nueve instrumentos y se descartaron los demás por involucrar diagnóstico específico, grupos de edad distintos, poblaciones específicas diferentes, tiempo prolongado de aplicación y otros determinantes enfocados en los factores protectores y en opiniones del paciente acerca del suicidio.  </p><p class="p1"><span class="s2"><strong>Conclusiones. </strong>Estas escalas se pueden usar como instrumento de ayuda para definir una conducta en un paciente con riesgo suicida, pero no reemplazan la entrevista psiquiátrica. Se postulan las escalas Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation y Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale por cumplir con las características psicométricas, por tener un tiempo de aplicación adecuado en el servicio de urgencias y por sus preguntas sencillas para ser utilizadas en atención primaria.</span></p>

Online Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Gryglewicz ◽  
Jason I. Chen ◽  
Gabriela D. Romero ◽  
Marc S. Karver ◽  
Melissa Witmeier
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Assessment And Management

Abstract. Background: Many mental health professionals (MHPs) encounter youth at risk for suicide but lack knowledge and confidence to assist these individuals. Unfortunately, training for MHPs on suicide risk assessment and management is often not adequately accessible. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether MHPs' knowledge, attitudes, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioral control in working with at-risk suicidal youth improve following an online training (QPRT: Question, Persuade, Refer, Treat). Method: QPRT was provided to 225 MHPs from three large urban areas in the United States. Suicide prevention literacy, attitudes, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioral control in assessing and managing suicide risk were assessed before and after training. Data were also collected on training engagement and completion. Results: Suicide prevention literacy in most competency domains and perceived behavioral control increased significantly after participation in QPRT. Suicide prevention attitudes and some knowledge domains did not significantly improve. MHPs reported high satisfaction with the training. Conclusion: The current study provides initial support for offering MHPs online suicide risk assessment and management training. Online training programs may be an engaging and feasible means for providing advanced suicide prevention skills to MHPs who may have numerous barriers to accessing face-to-face training.

Ethical Issues and Practical Challenges in Suicide Research

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie A. Hom ◽  
Matthew C. Podlogar ◽  
Ian H. Stanley ◽  
Thomas E. Joiner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Panel Member ◽  
Prevention Research ◽  
Approval Process ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
Study Protocols ◽  
Risk Assessment And Management

Abstract. Background: Research with human subjects represents a critical avenue for suicide prevention efforts; however, such research is not without its ethical and practical challenges. Specifically, given the nature of research with individuals at elevated risk for suicide (e.g., increased concerns regarding participant safety, adverse events, liability, difficulties often arise during the institutional review board (IRB) evaluation and approval process. Aims: This paper aims to discuss IRB-related issues associated with suicide prevention research, including researcher and IRB panel member responsibilities, suicide risk assessment and management ethics and procedures, informed consent considerations, preparation of study protocols, and education and training. Points to consider and components to potentially include in an IRB application for suicide-related research are additionally provided. Method: Literature relevant to ethics in suicide research and suicide risk assessment and management was reviewed and synthesized. Results: Suicide research can be conducted in accordance with ethical principles while also furthering the science of suicide prevention. Conclusion: Despite the challenging nature of suicide prevention research, empirically informed solutions exist to address difficulties that may emerge in interfacing with IRBs. There remain areas for improvement in the IRB approval process that warrant further investigation and work.

Suicide risk assessment and prevention interventions in military veterans

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S605-S605
Author(s):  
A. Teo
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
Prevention Interventions

IntroductionConcerns over suicide among military veterans has been as issue of major public and policy concern, particularly by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which is the largest integrated health care system in the United States.Objectives and aimsThe reasons for suicide risk and means to reduce risk in this population have been under active investigation and implementation. The aim of this presentation is to review recent trends in suicide risk assessment and suicide prevention interventions within the VHA in the United States.MethodsA literature review consisting of an electronic database search of PubMed, “gray literature” search, and manual search for articles related to suicide in military personnel and veterans was conducted.ResultsIn recent years, annual VHA rates of completed suicide have ranged from approximately 34 to 40 suicides per 100,000 person-years, rates significantly higher than the general US population. Risk assessment methods examined in military veteran populations have primarily included self-report instruments, scales, and checklists. Recently, “big data” approaches to analysis of electronic medical records have shown promise in stratifying veterans into high- and low-risk groups. VHA suicide prevention initiatives have included extensive staff hiring, development of research centers and data-sharing agreements focused on suicide, a national telephone crisis line, routine suicide risk assessment and screening, and suicide safety plans.ConclusionsMilitary veterans in the US receiving care in the VHA have a variety of risk factors for suicide and continue to be at elevated risk despite implementation of numerous suicide prevention initiatives.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

What Can be Learned from the Systematic Analysis of Suicides that Occur in the Healthcare System?

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
D. Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Transfer Of Information ◽  
Suicidal Patients

Many European countries have a national suicide preventive programme. In June 2008, a new national programme for suicide prevention was approved by the Swedish Parliament in Sweden. One of the nine strategies in this programme is an assignment called ‘Lex Maria’ - to report all suicides that occur within or 28 days after contact with the healthcare system to The National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW). Lex Maria guarantees that a systematic evaluation will always occur, providing opportunities to identify components which can be improved when treating suicidal patients. All Lex Maria reports are registered in a separate database at NBHW, allowing systematic analysis at a national level. The methodology used in this analysis will be presented, with examples of individual cases.Analysis of all suicide cases, which occurred in Sweden in 2006 within the health care system, uncovered the following areas which should be improved when working with suicidal people:•Better routines for suicide risk assessment;•Better routines for documentation of suicide risk assessment and changes in patients mood;•Better routines for the transfer of information within the same unit;•Better communication between units to ensure correct transfer of information;•Better routines for collaboration between care givers to ensure a continuity of care.In order to increase the competence of psychiatric health care staff in caring for suicidal patients, an annual 2 day education programme/course is recommended. The government also has an ambition to increase awareness of suicide prevention in the population.

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