Teen Suicide Prevention

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry;  Preventive Medicine
Article Date: 04 Nov 2011 - 2:00 PDT

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Roughly 1 million people die by suicide each year. In the U.S., where nearly 36,000 people take their own lives annually, more than 4,600 victims are between the ages of 10 and 24, making suicide the third leading cause of death in this age group.

Youths treated at hospital emergency rooms for suicidal behavior remain at very high risk for future suicide attempts. But despite the urgent need to provide them with mental health follow-up care, many don't receive any such care after their discharge. Consequently, a major goal of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's National Strategy for Suicide Prevention has been to increase rates of follow-up care after discharge for patients who come to the emergency department (ED) due to suicidal behavior.

Now, a new study by UCLA researchers shows that a specialized mental health intervention for suicidal youth can help. Reporting in the November issue of the journal Psychiatric Services, Joan Asarnow, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, and colleagues show that a family-based intervention conducted while troubled youths were still being treated in the ED led to dramatic improvements in linking these youths to outpatient treatment following their discharge.

"Youths who are treated for suicidal behavior in emergency departments are at very high risk for future attempts," said Asarnow, the study's first author. "Because a large proportion of youths seen in the ED for suicide don't receive outpatient treatment after discharge, the United States National Strategy for Suicide Prevention identifies the ED as an important suicide prevention site. So, a national objective is to increase the rates of mental health follow-up treatment for suicidal patients coming out of EDs."

But how to encourage this with youths when they are at their most vulnerable? The study involved 181 suicidal youths at two EDs in Los Angeles County, with a mean age of 15. Sixty-nine percent were female, and 67 percent were from racial or ethnic minority groups. For 53 percent of the participants, their emergency department visit was due to a suicide attempt. The remainder were seen because they had thoughts of suicide.

The youths were randomly assigned to either the usual ED treatment or an enhanced mental health intervention that involved a family-based crisis-therapy session designed to increase motivation for outpatient follow-up treatment and improve the youths' safety, supplemented by telephone contacts aimed at supporting families in linking to further outpatient treatment.

The results of the study show that the enhanced mental health intervention was associated with higher rates of follow-up treatment. Of the participants in the enhanced intervention, 92 percent received follow-up treatment after discharge, compared with 76 percent in the standard ED treatment arm - a clinically significant difference.

While the results are positive, the study is only a first step, according to Asarnow, who also directs UCLA's Youth Stress and Mood Program.

"The results underscore the urgent need for improved community outpatient treatment for suicidal youths," she said. "Unfortunately, the follow-up data collected at about two months after discharge did not indicate clinical or functioning differences among youths who received community outpatient treatment and those who did not."

Still, Asarnow said, the data from the new study underscores the critical importance of this work. To address the need for effective follow-up treatment for troubled youths, the UCLA Youth Stress and Mood Program has major research trials in progress aimed at evaluating outpatient treatments for preventing suicide and suicide attempts.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our mental health section for the latest news on this subject. Funding for the study was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Other authors included Larry Baraff, Robert Suddath, John Piacentini, Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus and Lingqi Tang, all of UCLA; Michele Berk and Charles Grob of Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute; Mona Devich-Navarro of Santa Monica College; and Daniel Cohen of Johns Hopkins University.
Asarnow reports receiving honoraria from Hathaways-Sycamores, Casa Pacifica, the California Institute of Mental Health and the Melissa Institute. Piacentini has received royalties from Oxford University Press for treatment manuals and from Guilford Press and the American Psychological Association Press for books on child mental health. In addition, he has received a consultancy fee from Bayer Schering Pharma. The other authors report no competing interests.
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Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Mental Health
Article Date: 01 Dec 2011 - 1:00 PST

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Increased screening of pregnant women and new mothers for major depression and conflicts with intimate partners may help identify women at risk for suicide, a University of Michigan Health System-led analysis of federal data concludes.

Only a small percentage of women who take their own lives are pregnant or have recently become mothers, but their frequent interactions with the health care system may provide important opportunities for providers to intervene if risk factors are better understood, the researchers say.

Their findings were published online this month ahead of print publication in General Hospital Psychiatry.

"We have a more complete picture now of who these women are and what led up to these tragic events," says lead study author Katherine J. Gold, M.D., M.S.W., M.S., assistant professor of family medicine at the U-M Medical School. "These deaths ripple through families and communities and cause a lot of sorrow and devastation."

The study analyzed five years of suicide data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, which was introduced in 2003. The dataset is unique for linking multiple sources of information together to provide details that include demographics, pregnancy status, mental health and substance abuse status, and precipitating circumstances.

More than half of the women who killed themselves had a known mental health diagnosis, with mood disorder being the most common at 95 percent. Nearly half were known to have a depressed mood leading up to the suicide.

"Previous research has shown that depressive disorders affect 14-23 percent of pregnant and postpartum women and anxiety disorders affect 10-12 percent," says study senior author Christie Palladino, M.D., M.Sc., an obstetrician/gynecologist with Georgia Health Sciences University's Education Discovery Institute. "We've known that major depression is a factor in suicide for a long time.

"But this data tells us, for example, that pregnant and postpartum women had a much higher incidence of conflicts with intimate partners than their counterparts," Palladino continues.

Postpartum women were also more likely to have been identified as having a depressed mood in the two weeks prior to suicide than other women, the study found.

Also important, researchers found many similarities that did not vary significantly by pregnancy status: 56 percent of all victims had a known mental health diagnosis; 32 percent had previously attempted suicide; and 28 percent had a known alcohol or substance abuse issue at the time of death.

"Depression and substance use are risk factors for everyone, including pregnant and postpartum women," Gold adds.

The researchers also found that while education level and marital status were very similar across pregnant, postpartum and non-pregnant suicides, Hispanic women were far more likely to take their own lives while pregnant (10 percent of suicides among pregnant women) or within a year of pregnancy (9 percent of postpartum suicides) than when not pregnant (4 percent of non-pregnancy associated suicides).

The researchers acknowledge some inherent limitations of the data. Their sample of 2,083 suicides among women of plausible child-bearing age (15-54), was drawn only from the 17 states where data was available. It is also was impossible to interview the victims and get a full picture of mental health conditions, unreported domestic violence and other precipitating factors.

"As a society, we tend to avoid talking about suicide," Gold says. "But it's important to try to understand and talk about risk factors if we are going to address suicide from a public health perspective."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our depression section for the latest news on this subject. Additional authors: Sheila M. Marcus, M.D.; Vijay Singh, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.; both of U-M.
Funding: National Institutes of Health grant.
Disclosure: None.
Citation: "Mental Health, substance use, and intimate partner problems among pregnant and postpartum suicide victims in the National Violent Death Reporting System," General Hospital Psychiatry, doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.09.017
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Suicide, Warning Signs And Issues Faced By Friends And Family

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 24 Oct 2011 - 0:00 PDT

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A study focusing on the family and friends of people who were suicidal has highlighted the main challenges they face when trying to judge whether a person is in danger and decide what they should do about it.

The research was carried out by Dr. Christabel Owens from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, supported by Devon NHS Partnership Trust and funded by the UK Medical Research Council. The findings are published in the British Medical Journal on 22nd October 2011 (online 19th October 2011).

Researchers investigated 14 suicides aged 18-34 in London, the South West and South Wales, none of whom were receiving specialist mental health care. They asked relatives and friends of the deceased what they had witnessed in the period leading up to the suicide and how they had interpreted what they saw. In all, 31 lay informants (parents, partners, siblings, friends and colleagues) took part.

The findings of the research show that relatives and friends did not always receive clear and unambiguous warning signals from the suicidal individual, and that, even when it was obvious that something was seriously wrong, they could not always summon the courage to take action.

Family members and friends of those who may be contemplating suicide are confronted by powerful emotional blocks, particularly fear. They may be afraid of intruding into another person's emotional life or afraid of damaging a cherished relationship by 'saying the wrong thing'. The whole situation is emotionally charged, and that affects the way in which people respond.

Unlike conditions such as stroke, where national awareness campaigns have been built around the very obvious signals to look for, this study emphasises that for suicide there is no clear "if you see this, then do that" message - despite research literature suggesting that warning signs for suicide do exist.

Said Dr. Owens: "Even doctors with many years' training and experience find it very difficult to assess whether or not a person is at imminent risk of suicide. Family members and friends find themselves in uncharted territory, with no training and little public information to guide them. They may know that a relative or friend is troubled but have absolutely no idea that suicide is a possibility. The person may give very indirect hints, possibly when disinhibited by alcohol, that they are thinking of killing themselves, but it is difficult for others to know how seriously to take these messages and how to respond to them."

The study indicates that, where emotional or psychological pain is involved, people do not seek medical help lightly. For a person who is feeling overwhelmed and suicidal, consulting a doctor and confessing those feelings requires immense courage and is often a last resort. Said Dr. Owens: "It is sad that, in the course of our research, we have repeatedly come across examples of people who did go to their GP, were given a cursory risk assessment and sent home with little or no support, and subsequently killed themselves. In other cases, a relative has taken their concerns to a GP and asked for advice, and has been told that the case cannot be discussed with them for reasons of patient confidentiality and that the person must visit the GP themselves."

Having identified the challenges facing family and friends of the suicidal, the authors of this study will, in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations, work on developing solutions.

Said Dr. Owens: "There are some suicide prevention skills training courses available, but they are not ideal for members of the general public, and we don't know how to get them to the people who need them. We still need to identify the key messages that we have to get across to people, and work out how to deliver them to relatives and friends of those who are at risk of suicide."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our mental health section for the latest news on this subject. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

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posted by Bryan Gibb on 24 Oct 2011 at 9:48 am

Thanks for your piece on this important topic. Allow us to suggest that there is a good course for the general public called Mental Health First Aid. This course is taught in 43 states by 1400 certified instructors and teaches how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, respond to crisis (including suicide risk) and refer to servics. We were fortunate to be the guest of NPR's Talk of the Nation last week if you would like to learn more. Take a look at our website - mentalhealthfirstaid.org if you like.

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posted by Ann Weeks on 24 Oct 2011 at 4:15 pm

At last some insight into what families go through. My son killed himself last December, and your right, these lost souls are so brave to go to the doctor in the first place, but once in the system are just monitored NOT HELPED, NO RECOVERY PLAN, ONLY DRUGS. Breaks my heart that I begged for help, but as his Mum was not allowed to be told anything, due to confidentiality. If people with Dementia can give family power of attorney to family, why can't 23 year olds that are terrified as been told their suffering from a mental illness, so confused and alone, not be given support by their family as it's for their own good. I would have spa t every penny on this earth to get him help, as apparently, THE NHS PROFESSIONALS, thought counselling was not an option to begin with - regretably when they did decide it might help, they wrote the referral on the day he died - coincidence or what! And strangely never received the letter, although in his medical notes. Inquest Ist November - he didn't stand a chance, once his work got his psychiatric report - they refused him work, told him he was a risk to the other staff and clients, that left him with NO FUTURE = MORE DEPRESSION = DEATH

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posted by Barb Hildebrand on 27 Oct 2011 at 2:36 pm

Really enjoyed reading this article that explained very well what those contemplating suicide as well as their families and loved ones experience.

I liked that you pointed out that even those trained in the field of medicine have a difficult time ascertaining who will or won't follow through and take their lives. It's a huge responsibility that many lay people place on themselves and they need to hear this to realize it isn't always possible nor is it their fault.

No matter where you live and what healthcare system is in place, not enough follow-up is being done with suicidal people who have attempted or have indicated they're considering suicide. We've got to figure out a better way and have the various organizations work together to coordinate better efforts and programs.

I'm in Canada, there's a great organization called LivingWorks who provide wonderful training for lay people. I've taken one of their courses called SAFETalk, it's 3 hours in total and makes you aware of what to look for, steps to take if someone is suicidal and how to get them help.

Thanks for this great post!

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One Suicide Every 15 Minutes In The USA

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Preventive Medicine
Article Date: 21 Oct 2011 - 5:00 PDT

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A report published yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that, every 15 minutes an individual in the U.S. dies as a result of suicide. In addition it was revealed that for each individual who dies, several others are contemplating, planing or attempting suicide. In Utah, around 1 in 15 ( 6.8%) adults have serious thoughts of suicide compared to 1 in 50 (2.1%) adults in Georgia. The range for attempting suicide goes from 1 in 67 (1.5%) adults in Rhode Island to 1 in 1,000 adults in Georgia and Delaware (0.1%). This is the first report to expose state-level data regarding suicidal thoughts and behavior among adult individuals in the country.

Thomas M. Frieden, M.D. Director of CDC, explained:

"Suicide is a tragedy for individuals, families, and communities. This report highlights that we have opportunities to intervene before someone dies by suicide. We can identify risks that take action before a suicide attempt takes place.

Most people are uncomfortable talking about suicide, but this is not a problem to shroud in secrecy. We need to work together to raise awareness about suicide and learn more about interventions that work to prevent this public health problem."

2008-2009 data obtained from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) was analyzed by the CDC and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Pam Hyde, Administrator at SAMHSA said:

"Suicide is a preventable tragedy. With this new data we will be able to work more effectively to reach people at risk and help keep them safe. For people in need, help is always available by calling 1-800-273-TALK/8255."

Findings from the data include: In the past year, over 2.2 million adults (1.0%) reported making suicide plans. These figures ranged from 2.8% in Rhode Island and 0.1% in Georgia.The prevalence of serious suicidal thoughts, planning or attempts were considerably higher among individuals aged between 18 to 29 years compared to those 30 years or older. In the past year, over 1 million adult individuals (0.5%) reported that they attempted suicide. These figures ranged from 1.5% in Rhode Island and 0.1% in Georgia and Delaware. Women had a considerably higher frequency of serious suicidal thoughts than men. Western states have consistently higher suicide rates, particularly states, such as Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico located in the Rocky Mountains. The current study looked at nonfatal behavior and discovered that the pattern was mixed: Individuals who lived in the West and Midwest were more likely to have suicide thoughts compared to those in the South and Northeast. Suicide plans were more likely in adults in the Midwest compared to individuals in the South. They also found that by region, suicide attempts did not vary. Linda C. Degutis, Dr.P.H., M.S.N., director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, explained:

"Multiple factors contribute to risk for suicidal behavior. The variations identified in this report might reflect differences in the frequency of risk factors and the social and economic makeup of the study populations. These differences can influence the types of prevention strategies used in communities and the groups included."

This investigation highlights how important it is to collect and use local information for prevention purposes. Continued observation is required in order to develop, implement, and analyze public health programs and policies that can lead to a reduction in deaths related to suicide thoughts, morbidity and behaviors. Potential prevention strategies include public education campaigns designed to focus on improving recognition of suicide risk, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy, a more intensive strategy designed for individuals who have a higher risk, such as individuals who have attempted suicide. This therapy helps individual to change the way they think as well as helping them in the way they react to situations.

CDC's Injury Center works to prevent injuries and violence and their adverse health consequences. For further information regarding suicide prevention, please click here.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Web site.

Listing of evidence-based prevention interventions for suicide

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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posted by Chris on 21 Oct 2011 at 8:20 am

I am thankful that the CDC is looking into this issue. Having had 2 suicides in my family both with guns, its leaves behind a family bewildered, confused and with terrible guilt on how the tragedy could have been prevented. The legacy to a family is one of heart break and riddled with what ifs to the survivors. I firmly believe that if a suicidal person could truly see the legacy left behind by their actions and the great mental hard it does to their families, no matter how depressed or saddened in the moment that they feel to compulsion, they would not commit the act.

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posted by Realist on 21 Oct 2011 at 8:32 am

Sure, it is a tragedy when someone commits suicide over an some emotional trauma that might be painful in the short run, but is insignificant in the long run. However, there are plenty of others who have, through some physical or psychological condition, been condemned to a life of pain and misery from which there is no escape. Some of these people are so troubled that they can't resist tormenting and abusing those around them. I don't consider it a tragedy when someone who has exhausted all available options for returning to a healthy life decides to end life itself. If said person has a history of violence, the ending of his or her life can even be considered a good thing. What I find intolerable are those who, without any basis in fact, claim that anyone, no matter what ails them, can have a fulfilling, productive life if they just commit themselves to that end. Unless these people are mind-readers, they have no way of knowing what hope or potential another person has, or what obstacles that person faces.

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posted by Harold A. Maio on 21 Oct 2011 at 8:58 am

Most people are 1. uncomfortable talking about suicide, but this is not a problem to 2. shroud in secrecy.

I do not believe the above. 1. I believe we talk, and 2. we do so openly.

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posted by flygirl on 21 Oct 2011 at 11:39 pm

I agree with Realist. I wish I had the option of suicide, but I have children and such a choice on my part would be a tragedy for them. I've always tried to be a good person, do all the right things but my life has been mostly full of emotional pain despite therapy, despite medication. Most days, I feel too defective to live. Intellectually, I know none of the junk in my head is real, but it is killing me slowly and painfully every day. I would end my life if I didn't think doing so would harm my children.

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posted by spacebunny on 22 Oct 2011 at 11:38 am

People who are thought to be mentally ill are stigmatized, profiled, and gossipped about. Just about the whole of society is sick and suicide is a byproduct of this.

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posted by Mary on 24 Oct 2011 at 11:43 am

If you are feeling suicidal, or know someone who does, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. They have Spanish speakers and also folks who work with the military. I have used their resources before and they are really a great help.

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40 Percent Of Youths Attempting Suicide Make First Attempt Before High School

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 28 Nov 2011 - 0:00 PST

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Thoughts about killing oneself and engaging in suicidal behavior may begin much younger than previously thought. While about one of nine youths attempt suicide by the time they graduate from high school, new findings reveal that a significant proportion make their first suicide attempt in elementary or middle school.

In a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, nearly 40 percent of young adults who said they had tried suicide said that they made their first attempt before entering high school.

The researchers also found that suicide attempts during childhood and adolescence were linked to higher scores of depression at the time of the attempts, validating for the first time that young adults can reliably recall when they first attempted suicide.

"Young adults who end up having chronic mental health problems show their struggles early," said James Mazza, lead author and professor of educational psychology at the University of Washington. "This study suggests that implementation of mental health programs may need to start in elementary and middle schools, and that youth in these grades are fairly good reporters of their own mental health."

Adolescence can often be a struggle for some youth with ongoing pressures of drugs, alcohol, sexual relationships and sexual orientation. At the same time, they're becoming more autonomous.

"Adolescence is a time when kids are preparing to be more independent from their parents or guardians, but lack the experience of how to do this," said Mazza, a school psychologist. "And their support network - their friends - doesn't have the experience either, especially in crisis situations."

As part of an ongoing survey, Mazza and his collaborators asked 883 young adults aged 18 or 19 about their history of suicide attempts. Seventy-eight respondents, nearly 9 percent, said that they had tried suicide at some point.

Suicide attempt rates showed a sharp increase around sixth grade, about age 12, with rates peaking around eighth or ninth grade. For the 39 respondents reporting multiple suicide attempts, their first attempt was significantly earlier - as young as 9 - than those making a single attempt.

Mazza compared the young adults' recollection of their suicide attempts with their past depression scores, which were collected yearly as part of their participation in the Raising Healthy Children project led by researchers at UW's Social Developmental Research Group at the School of Social Work.

Depression levels were higher at the time of the youths' reported first suicide attempts compared with their peers who had not attempted suicide. And Mazza found an increase in depression scores at the time of the attempt compared with depression scores the year before and after the attempt for the same child.

"This suggests that kids are able to tell us, by their depression scores, that things aren't going well for them," Mazza said. "We're likely not giving kids enough credence in assessing their own mental health, and this study shows that we can rely on self-report measures to help identify youth who may be at risk for current mental health concerns, including possible suicidal behavior."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our mental health section for the latest news on this subject. The National Institute on Drug Abuse funded the study. Other co-authors are Robert Abbott, UW educational psychology professor; and Richard Catalano, director, and Kevin Haggerty, assistant director, of UW's Social Developmental Research Group.
Study: http://jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X%2811%2900127-3/abstract
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posted by Laurie Hyatt on 29 Nov 2011 at 6:33 am

If you check the CDC suicide statistics over the last 50 years, it is apparent that more adolescents and children are taking their lives and younger and younger children are choosing suicide. In my book Silent Decision, I cite statistics and address the "Why?" of youth suicide. We must understand in order to shift the trend.

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posted by Kristin on 29 Nov 2011 at 3:12 pm

We lost Hayley @ 16 years old April/2011, and found out from her friends that she attempted suicide 6 other times.
The mission of The Hayley’s Hope Foundation is to create an awareness of the issue of teenage suicide and its warning signs, triggers, and its impact on family and the community. This will be accomplished through education and provision of resources for professional help to parents/guardians, educators, peers, and most importantly, those currently in distress.

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Risk Of Suicide In Men With Prostate Cancer Could Be Lowered By New Findings

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Mental Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 02 Nov 2011 - 0:00 PDT

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Men with prostate cancer are twice as likely to commit suicide, but a method where they put intrusive thoughts into words may reduce this risk, reveals research at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

In a study at the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy, researchers surveyed the thoughts of 833 Swedish men before and after surgery for prostate cancer. The suicide rate in this group is high, and the aim of the study was to map the men's thoughts.

One in four thought about death

"Our results show that 73% of the men had sudden involuntary negative intrusive thoughts about their cancer at some point before surgery, and almost 60% still had these thoughts three months after surgery," says Thordis Thorsteinsdottir, in whose thesis the results are reported. "One in four thought about their own death at least once a week."

Lower perceived quality of life

Her thesis shows that men who do not expect to be cured by the treatment have negative intrusive thoughts more often. "Men who often think these thoughts about their prostate cancer before surgery are more likely to have low or moderate perceived quality of life three months afterwards," says Thorsteinsdottir.

New method can recuce intrusive thoughts

Her thesis discusses a method which can reduce these intrusive thoughts. Known as expressive writing, the method has been tested on other cancer patients with good results and involves getting the men affected to spend 20 minutes writing down their feelings on at least three occasions after getting their cancer diagnosis.

Easier to talk

The idea is that this helps the men to put their intrusive thoughts into words. It is then easier to talk to friends and family, which reduces their negative thoughts and so improves their mental health.

"Health professionals could be better at communicating with men who have had a cancer diagnosis," says Thorsteinsdottir. "If every man was asked 'What do you think about your cancer and your future?' and we then took the time to listen, we might be in a better position to help them handle this new situation and prevent drastic actions such as suicide."

Covers 4,000 men

The thesis is the first from a study which, once data collection is complete, will cover 4,000 men with prostate cancer from 13 urology clinics in Sweden. The study is being led by Eva Haglind from the Sahlgrenska Academy.

The thesis has been successfully defended.

Prostate cancer and mental ill-health

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in Sweden. Each year more than 2,500 men die from the disease and more than 9,000 receive the diagnosis. Long after the diagnosis, men with prostate-cancer diagnosis more often have a post-traumatic stress syndrome, with negative intrusive thoughts about the disease which cause problems sleeping and anxiety. Thordis Thorsteinsdottir's thesis shows that men with prostate cancer who have these negative thoughts before surgery are more likely to have a lower perceived quality of life three months afterwards.

The results are based on a survey of 833 men admitted to 12 different urology clinics, corresponding to 86% of all eligible men operated on at these centres between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009. The men were asked questions about their mental health before and three months after surgery.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our prostate / prostate cancer section for the latest news on this subject. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

University of Gothenburg. "Risk Of Suicide In Men With Prostate Cancer Could Be Lowered By New Findings." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 2 Nov. 2011. Web.
9 Dec. 2011. APA

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Suicide, Warning Signs And Issues Faced By Friends And Family

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 24 Oct 2011 - 0:00 PDT

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A study focusing on the family and friends of people who were suicidal has highlighted the main challenges they face when trying to judge whether a person is in danger and decide what they should do about it.

The research was carried out by Dr. Christabel Owens from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, supported by Devon NHS Partnership Trust and funded by the UK Medical Research Council. The findings are published in the British Medical Journal on 22nd October 2011 (online 19th October 2011).

Researchers investigated 14 suicides aged 18-34 in London, the South West and South Wales, none of whom were receiving specialist mental health care. They asked relatives and friends of the deceased what they had witnessed in the period leading up to the suicide and how they had interpreted what they saw. In all, 31 lay informants (parents, partners, siblings, friends and colleagues) took part.

The findings of the research show that relatives and friends did not always receive clear and unambiguous warning signals from the suicidal individual, and that, even when it was obvious that something was seriously wrong, they could not always summon the courage to take action.

Family members and friends of those who may be contemplating suicide are confronted by powerful emotional blocks, particularly fear. They may be afraid of intruding into another person's emotional life or afraid of damaging a cherished relationship by 'saying the wrong thing'. The whole situation is emotionally charged, and that affects the way in which people respond.

Unlike conditions such as stroke, where national awareness campaigns have been built around the very obvious signals to look for, this study emphasises that for suicide there is no clear "if you see this, then do that" message - despite research literature suggesting that warning signs for suicide do exist.

Said Dr. Owens: "Even doctors with many years' training and experience find it very difficult to assess whether or not a person is at imminent risk of suicide. Family members and friends find themselves in uncharted territory, with no training and little public information to guide them. They may know that a relative or friend is troubled but have absolutely no idea that suicide is a possibility. The person may give very indirect hints, possibly when disinhibited by alcohol, that they are thinking of killing themselves, but it is difficult for others to know how seriously to take these messages and how to respond to them."

The study indicates that, where emotional or psychological pain is involved, people do not seek medical help lightly. For a person who is feeling overwhelmed and suicidal, consulting a doctor and confessing those feelings requires immense courage and is often a last resort. Said Dr. Owens: "It is sad that, in the course of our research, we have repeatedly come across examples of people who did go to their GP, were given a cursory risk assessment and sent home with little or no support, and subsequently killed themselves. In other cases, a relative has taken their concerns to a GP and asked for advice, and has been told that the case cannot be discussed with them for reasons of patient confidentiality and that the person must visit the GP themselves."

Having identified the challenges facing family and friends of the suicidal, the authors of this study will, in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations, work on developing solutions.

Said Dr. Owens: "There are some suicide prevention skills training courses available, but they are not ideal for members of the general public, and we don't know how to get them to the people who need them. We still need to identify the key messages that we have to get across to people, and work out how to deliver them to relatives and friends of those who are at risk of suicide."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our mental health section for the latest news on this subject. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. "Suicide, Warning Signs And Issues Faced By Friends And Family." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 24 Oct. 2011. Web.
8 Dec. 2011. APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

posted by Bryan Gibb on 24 Oct 2011 at 9:48 am

Thanks for your piece on this important topic. Allow us to suggest that there is a good course for the general public called Mental Health First Aid. This course is taught in 43 states by 1400 certified instructors and teaches how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, respond to crisis (including suicide risk) and refer to servics. We were fortunate to be the guest of NPR's Talk of the Nation last week if you would like to learn more. Take a look at our website - mentalhealthfirstaid.org if you like.

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posted by Ann Weeks on 24 Oct 2011 at 4:15 pm

At last some insight into what families go through. My son killed himself last December, and your right, these lost souls are so brave to go to the doctor in the first place, but once in the system are just monitored NOT HELPED, NO RECOVERY PLAN, ONLY DRUGS. Breaks my heart that I begged for help, but as his Mum was not allowed to be told anything, due to confidentiality. If people with Dementia can give family power of attorney to family, why can't 23 year olds that are terrified as been told their suffering from a mental illness, so confused and alone, not be given support by their family as it's for their own good. I would have spa t every penny on this earth to get him help, as apparently, THE NHS PROFESSIONALS, thought counselling was not an option to begin with - regretably when they did decide it might help, they wrote the referral on the day he died - coincidence or what! And strangely never received the letter, although in his medical notes. Inquest Ist November - he didn't stand a chance, once his work got his psychiatric report - they refused him work, told him he was a risk to the other staff and clients, that left him with NO FUTURE = MORE DEPRESSION = DEATH

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posted by Barb Hildebrand on 27 Oct 2011 at 2:36 pm

Really enjoyed reading this article that explained very well what those contemplating suicide as well as their families and loved ones experience.

I liked that you pointed out that even those trained in the field of medicine have a difficult time ascertaining who will or won't follow through and take their lives. It's a huge responsibility that many lay people place on themselves and they need to hear this to realize it isn't always possible nor is it their fault.

No matter where you live and what healthcare system is in place, not enough follow-up is being done with suicidal people who have attempted or have indicated they're considering suicide. We've got to figure out a better way and have the various organizations work together to coordinate better efforts and programs.

I'm in Canada, there's a great organization called LivingWorks who provide wonderful training for lay people. I've taken one of their courses called SAFETalk, it's 3 hours in total and makes you aware of what to look for, steps to take if someone is suicidal and how to get them help.

Thanks for this great post!

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Risk Of Suicide In Men With Prostate Cancer Could Be Lowered By New Findings

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Mental Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 02 Nov 2011 - 0:00 PDT

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Men with prostate cancer are twice as likely to commit suicide, but a method where they put intrusive thoughts into words may reduce this risk, reveals research at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

In a study at the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy, researchers surveyed the thoughts of 833 Swedish men before and after surgery for prostate cancer. The suicide rate in this group is high, and the aim of the study was to map the men's thoughts.

One in four thought about death

"Our results show that 73% of the men had sudden involuntary negative intrusive thoughts about their cancer at some point before surgery, and almost 60% still had these thoughts three months after surgery," says Thordis Thorsteinsdottir, in whose thesis the results are reported. "One in four thought about their own death at least once a week."

Lower perceived quality of life

Her thesis shows that men who do not expect to be cured by the treatment have negative intrusive thoughts more often. "Men who often think these thoughts about their prostate cancer before surgery are more likely to have low or moderate perceived quality of life three months afterwards," says Thorsteinsdottir.

New method can recuce intrusive thoughts

Her thesis discusses a method which can reduce these intrusive thoughts. Known as expressive writing, the method has been tested on other cancer patients with good results and involves getting the men affected to spend 20 minutes writing down their feelings on at least three occasions after getting their cancer diagnosis.

Easier to talk

The idea is that this helps the men to put their intrusive thoughts into words. It is then easier to talk to friends and family, which reduces their negative thoughts and so improves their mental health.

"Health professionals could be better at communicating with men who have had a cancer diagnosis," says Thorsteinsdottir. "If every man was asked 'What do you think about your cancer and your future?' and we then took the time to listen, we might be in a better position to help them handle this new situation and prevent drastic actions such as suicide."

Covers 4,000 men

The thesis is the first from a study which, once data collection is complete, will cover 4,000 men with prostate cancer from 13 urology clinics in Sweden. The study is being led by Eva Haglind from the Sahlgrenska Academy.

The thesis has been successfully defended.

Prostate cancer and mental ill-health

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in Sweden. Each year more than 2,500 men die from the disease and more than 9,000 receive the diagnosis. Long after the diagnosis, men with prostate-cancer diagnosis more often have a post-traumatic stress syndrome, with negative intrusive thoughts about the disease which cause problems sleeping and anxiety. Thordis Thorsteinsdottir's thesis shows that men with prostate cancer who have these negative thoughts before surgery are more likely to have a lower perceived quality of life three months afterwards.

The results are based on a survey of 833 men admitted to 12 different urology clinics, corresponding to 86% of all eligible men operated on at these centres between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009. The men were asked questions about their mental health before and three months after surgery.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our prostate / prostate cancer section for the latest news on this subject. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

University of Gothenburg. "Risk Of Suicide In Men With Prostate Cancer Could Be Lowered By New Findings." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 2 Nov. 2011. Web.
8 Dec. 2011. APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

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View the original article here

Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Mental Health
Article Date: 01 Dec 2011 - 1:00 PST

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Increased screening of pregnant women and new mothers for major depression and conflicts with intimate partners may help identify women at risk for suicide, a University of Michigan Health System-led analysis of federal data concludes.

Only a small percentage of women who take their own lives are pregnant or have recently become mothers, but their frequent interactions with the health care system may provide important opportunities for providers to intervene if risk factors are better understood, the researchers say.

Their findings were published online this month ahead of print publication in General Hospital Psychiatry.

"We have a more complete picture now of who these women are and what led up to these tragic events," says lead study author Katherine J. Gold, M.D., M.S.W., M.S., assistant professor of family medicine at the U-M Medical School. "These deaths ripple through families and communities and cause a lot of sorrow and devastation."

The study analyzed five years of suicide data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, which was introduced in 2003. The dataset is unique for linking multiple sources of information together to provide details that include demographics, pregnancy status, mental health and substance abuse status, and precipitating circumstances.

More than half of the women who killed themselves had a known mental health diagnosis, with mood disorder being the most common at 95 percent. Nearly half were known to have a depressed mood leading up to the suicide.

"Previous research has shown that depressive disorders affect 14-23 percent of pregnant and postpartum women and anxiety disorders affect 10-12 percent," says study senior author Christie Palladino, M.D., M.Sc., an obstetrician/gynecologist with Georgia Health Sciences University's Education Discovery Institute. "We've known that major depression is a factor in suicide for a long time.

"But this data tells us, for example, that pregnant and postpartum women had a much higher incidence of conflicts with intimate partners than their counterparts," Palladino continues.

Postpartum women were also more likely to have been identified as having a depressed mood in the two weeks prior to suicide than other women, the study found.

Also important, researchers found many similarities that did not vary significantly by pregnancy status: 56 percent of all victims had a known mental health diagnosis; 32 percent had previously attempted suicide; and 28 percent had a known alcohol or substance abuse issue at the time of death.

"Depression and substance use are risk factors for everyone, including pregnant and postpartum women," Gold adds.

The researchers also found that while education level and marital status were very similar across pregnant, postpartum and non-pregnant suicides, Hispanic women were far more likely to take their own lives while pregnant (10 percent of suicides among pregnant women) or within a year of pregnancy (9 percent of postpartum suicides) than when not pregnant (4 percent of non-pregnancy associated suicides).

The researchers acknowledge some inherent limitations of the data. Their sample of 2,083 suicides among women of plausible child-bearing age (15-54), was drawn only from the 17 states where data was available. It is also was impossible to interview the victims and get a full picture of mental health conditions, unreported domestic violence and other precipitating factors.

"As a society, we tend to avoid talking about suicide," Gold says. "But it's important to try to understand and talk about risk factors if we are going to address suicide from a public health perspective."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our depression section for the latest news on this subject. Additional authors: Sheila M. Marcus, M.D.; Vijay Singh, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.; both of U-M.
Funding: National Institutes of Health grant.
Disclosure: None.
Citation: "Mental Health, substance use, and intimate partner problems among pregnant and postpartum suicide victims in the National Violent Death Reporting System," General Hospital Psychiatry, doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.09.017
University of Michigan Health System Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

University of Michigan Health System. "Suicide Risk Among Pregnant Women And New Mothers." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 1 Dec. 2011. Web.
8 Dec. 2011. APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

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View the original article here