Research on suicide risk and prevention. Covers screening and skills programs, youth emergency visits, and neighborhood risk factors.
US Army suicides surged by 80% between 2004 and 2008, with 39% of cases linked to post-Iraq events. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance misuse increased significantly during this period.
Research from the University of Warwick found that children involved in bullying – as both a victim and a bully – are at highly increased risk of considering suicide by age 11. Bullies and victims between 11-12 years old were three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, with 'bully-victims' being the highest risk group.
Adolescents who feel supported by their families and have caring friends are less likely to consider ending their lives. Conversely, those who experience victimization due to being gay are at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviors.
A new study found Scotland's suicide rate surpassed that of England & Wales in 1968 and widened the gap by the early 1990s. The research suggests a significant increase in suicides among young Scottish men, particularly by hanging.
A new analysis of clinical trial data found that treatment with fluoxetine did not increase or decrease suicidality in children compared to placebo. The study also showed that two different antidepressant drugs were effective at reducing suicidal behavior and depressive symptoms in adult and geriatric patients.
Researchers analyzed data from England and Wales, finding that services implementing recommended interventions saw a significant decrease in suicide rates. The provision of 24/7 crisis care was associated with the largest reduction in fatalities, while local policies on patients with dual diagnosis and multidisciplinary reviews also sh...
Research shows that better mental health services and safer hospital environments lead to a significant reduction in suicides among specific patient groups. The study's findings are based on data from 12,881 suicides in 91 mental health services between 1997 and 2006.
Inquests are more likely for deaths involving younger people, childhood deaths, and those from fatal medical care complications. Meanwhile, suicides rarely prompt inquests, which can shape public knowledge and understanding of death.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that coroners are more likely to hold inquests for childhood deaths and deaths from medical complications. The research analyzed data on over 20,000 deaths in five Australian states and found a significant disparity between publicized and unpublicized inquests.
A recent study found that injecting methamphetamine is associated with an 80% greater risk of attempted suicide compared to other substances. The study's authors suggest that social and structural mechanisms, including isolation and poorer social support systems, may contribute to this increased risk.
A University of Michigan Health System-led analysis of federal data found that over half of women who killed themselves had a known mental health diagnosis, with mood disorder being the most common. The study highlights the importance of identifying risk factors in pregnant and postpartum women to intervene and prevent suicide.
A study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that nearly 40 percent of young adults who tried suicide made their first attempt in elementary or middle school. This suggests that early mental health programs may be necessary to address chronic mental health problems, which often begin during childhood and adolescence.
A study published in The Lancet found that around 1 in 12 adolescents self-harm, with girls being more likely to do so. Most participants who self-harmed as teens stopped doing so by their early twenties.
A study found that individuals who were legally permitted to drink before the age of 21 remain at elevated risk for suicide and homicide as adults, particularly women born after 1960. The study suggests that higher minimum legal drinking ages may be preventing approximately 600 suicides and 600 homicides annually.
A new report by the Royal Society of Canada advocates for decriminalizing assisted dying in Canada to address inadequate end-of-life planning and care. The report found that most Canadians want to die at home but few do, highlighting the need for better planning and policies.
A new study by UCLA researchers shows that a specialized mental health intervention for suicidal youth can significantly improve follow-up treatment rates. The intervention, which involves a family-based crisis-therapy session and telephone support, resulted in higher rates of follow-up treatment compared to standard ED treatment.
A study found that varenicline (Chantix) is associated with a substantially increased risk of reported depression or suicidal behavior compared to other smoking-cessation treatments. The researchers identified 90% of all reported suicides related to smoking cessation drugs since 1998 implicated varenicline.
A study by Thordis Thorsteinsdottir found that men with prostate cancer are twice as likely to commit suicide, but a method called expressive writing can reduce this risk. Expressive writing involves getting the men affected to spend 20 minutes writing down their feelings on at least three occasions after getting their cancer diagnosis.
The University of Missouri's Missouri Partnership for Educational Renewal (MPER) has developed a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in schools. With training efforts, school districts like Parkway School District have implemented standardized responses to address suicidal students before a tragedy occurs.
Researchers found that violent deaths from homicide and suicide exceed traditional maternal mortality causes like hemorrhage and preeclampsia. Mental health awareness and treatment are crucial for preventing these deaths, particularly among younger, unmarried women.
A lack of national suicide prevention strategy in Canada puts lives at risk, but education and targeted interventions have shown promise. Physicians can play a crucial role in prevention through early detection, treatment, and follow-up.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that children and adolescents in foster care are at increased risk of suicide attempts and hospitalizations, but rates decrease after they enter care. Children with psychiatric disorders had the largest decrease in attempted suicides and hospitalizations.
A new study from CAMH found a specific gene linked to suicidal behaviour, particularly in those with the methionine variation of the gene
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $1.1 million to the University of Rochester Medical Center to continue its 10-year-old program training researchers in China to investigate suicide causes and prevention.
A recent study found that only 13% of teens with suicidal thoughts received mental health visits, and even fewer (26%) received services the year prior. This highlights the need for improved screening by primary care providers to identify suicidal tendencies.
A three-year study will investigate the psychological factors associated with suicide among LGBT youth, including thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. The research aims to identify risk factors and develop preventive messaging and interventions to reduce suicidal behaviors.
A study published in The Lancet found that suicide bombs caused 19% of civilian casualties, with a high injury-to-killed ratio for women and children. Coalition soldiers accounted for fewer casualties than civilians, highlighting the devastating impact on Iraqi civilians.
Research finds that women are less likely than men to use suicide methods that disfigure the face or head. Men are nearly twice as likely as women to have used such methods, suggesting a potential gap in understanding and prevention strategies for gender-specific risk factors.
Japan experiences over 30,000 annual suicides, largely attributed to negative socioeconomic conditions. Implementing comprehensive suicide prevention measures and increasing public knowledge about depression can help reduce the rate of suicides in Japan.
A new study from Temple University found that medical examiners and appointed coroners are less likely to underreport suicides compared to elected coroners. This suggests that insulation from public pressure can lead to more accurate suicide reporting.
A study published in Journal of School Health found that a suicide prevention program significantly reduced teen suicidal behaviors, with significant decreases in considering, planning, and attempting suicide. The Surviving the Teens program taught self-confidence and positive behavior to help teens cope with stress and depression.
A recent study found that nearly half of college veterans reported suicidal thoughts and 20% had planned to kill themselves. The survey also revealed higher rates of suicide-related problems among student veterans compared to those seeking mental health services from VA centers.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic and University of Washington highlight the potential benefits of primary care physicians in establishing treatment plans for patients at risk for suicide. A simple question from a family doctor can be enough to start a person toward help and treatment.
The study found that 15% of the population from high-income countries were at risk of developing depression over their lifetime. Depression was strongly linked to social conditions and more prevalent in high-income countries, where MDEs were elevated by 28%, with France having the highest incidence.
The article reports that suicide rates in most European countries increased between 2007 and 2009, while road traffic fatalities decreased due to lower car use. Only Austria showed a decline in suicides, while Finland experienced an unexpected increase despite having strong social protection systems.
A study found that veterans who have attempted suicide not only face an elevated risk of further attempts but also experience higher mortality rates from all causes. The research highlights the need for more intensive support and prevention efforts among at-risk veterans.
A new report by University of Manchester researchers highlights the link between alcohol misuse and high suicide rates in Northern Ireland, particularly among young people. The study found that alcohol dependence was a factor in 60% of patient suicides, with mental health patients also struggling with substance misuse.
A study found that treating insomnia with cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly reduced suicidal thoughts and feelings in individuals with sleep disorders. Group therapy sessions, conducted weekly and bi-weekly, resulted in a post-treatment reduction of suicidal ideation.
African-American middle school students are more likely to consent to mental health screening and access school-based services. The study found that 71.7% of African-American students referred for screening accessed recommended services, compared to 76.2% of white students.
A new study argues that female suicide bombing is a military tactic used by terrorist groups to justify acts that deviate from mainstream Islam. The study's findings suggest that the use of female suicide bombers is not based on Islamic doctrine, but rather on strategic and military utility.
A new study by David Hemenway found that gun ownership in homes increases the risk of accidents, suicide, homicide, and intimidation, outweighing any perceived benefits. Homes with children or women are disproportionately affected, with a higher risk of female homicide victimization.
A new study found that happy countries like Canada and the US have higher suicide rates than unhappy ones. The researchers believe people in happy places may feel harshly treated by life, leading to increased risk of suicide.
A new study links negative social environments surrounding gay youth to high attempted suicide rates, with supportive environments associated with a 25% lower risk. The study found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are more than five times as likely to attempt suicide as their heterosexual peers.
A study of nearly 2,700 adults with bipolar disorder found a genetic risk factor on chromosome 2 associated with increased attempts at self-harm. Genetic variants in the region were linked to a higher likelihood of attempting suicide, with those having two copies being almost three times as likely.
A new study by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found no significant impact of the Great Depression on mortality rates in urban US populations. The study suggests that government responses to economic crises can affect health outcomes, with protective effects observed during periods like the New Deal.
A systematic review of UK doctors' attitudes towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide reveals a significant gap between doctor's views and the public's. The majority of doctors oppose these practices, with religiosity, palliative care, and patient autonomy cited as key factors.
The study found that eating disorders were common among US adolescents, with high prevalence rates of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. The researchers also discovered a strong association between eating disorders and social impairment, as well as increased risk of suicidality.
A survey of 168 locked-in syndrome patients found that most (72%) are happy, while 28% experience unhappiness due to various factors. Improving rehabilitation and anxiety treatment can help patients regain a happy life, suggesting optimal life-sustaining care can have major long-term benefits.
Researchers identified a gene that allows the Rubella virus to block cell death and created a mutant version that slows its spread. This discovery could lead to new tools for preventing rapid disease transmission if applicable to other viruses.
The US military faces a growing crisis of suicide among its personnel, with rates increasing sharply since 2001. To address this issue, researchers recommend improving access to quality behavioral health care and raising awareness about the importance of seeking help.
A recent economic crisis has led to a surge in income inequalities, which have been linked to an increased risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. The study highlights the growing gap between socio-economic groups, with lower-income individuals facing a higher risk of mental health issues.
Research finds men and women with contact to criminal justice system have higher rate of suicide compared to general population, even without imprisonment or guilty verdict. Exposure to the justice system is independently associated with elevated suicide risk, particularly among younger individuals with violent charges.
A new study found that adult children of divorce are at higher risk of suicidal thoughts, especially men who experienced parental divorce before age 18. Men from divorced families had more than three times the odds of suicidal ideation compared to men from intact families.
A recent study found that up to 16% of surgeons reported suicidal thoughts in the past year, despite depression being a common link. Burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization were also strongly associated with suicidal ideation.
A study of US counties found a positive correlation between altitude and suicide rate, controlling for known risk factors. Despite lower overall mortality rates at higher altitudes, the study suggests an association between elevation and increased suicide risk.
Depression screening in university health centers is often overlooked, but it can save lives. Studies show that nearly twice as many students visiting campus health clinics exhibit depression and suicidal thoughts compared to general college samples.
Researchers link accepting family attitudes towards LGBT children to better overall health in adulthood. Family behaviors like advocating for their child's rights and supporting gender expression protect against depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and attempts.
Research by King's Health Partners found that people with psychotic disorders are 12 times more likely to commit suicide than average. The risk of suicide persists long-term, remaining four times greater than the general population ten years after diagnosis.
The internet can provide anonymous space for expressing oneself and finding sympathetic listeners, but also poses risks of bullying, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful information. Experts call for new public health initiatives to address the complex issue of online suicide prevention.
A recent study published in Psychiatric Services reveals that young women veterans are at significantly higher risk of suicide than civilian women. According to the data, female veterans aged 18-34 are at the highest risk, with nearly triple the rate of suicides compared to their non-veteran counterparts.