Research on suicide risk and prevention. Covers screening and skills programs, youth emergency visits, and neighborhood risk factors.
A new study found that completed and attempted suicides occur at greater rates in rural communities with higher bar densities. Completed suicide rates were lower among blacks and Hispanics, but higher among low-income, older whites living in rural areas.
A study by psychologists found that individuals with strong moral convictions tend to distrust authorities' decisions, while those with high religiosity trust them. Participants based their trust on gut reactions rather than thoughtful deliberation.
In a preliminary study, intravenous ketamine was found to acutely reduce suicidal thoughts in treatment-resistant depression patients. The reduction in suicidality was maintained when patients received repeated doses over two weeks, suggesting potential as an attractive treatment option for high-risk suicidal patients.
Researchers at UAB are investigating genetic factors that contribute to suicidal behavior, focusing on the role of serotonin 2C and ADAR proteins. The study aims to develop diagnostic tests that can identify individuals at high risk of suicide and tailor therapies accordingly.
Researchers found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk of thoughts of suicide in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. The study, published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, indicates that PTSD is a primary risk factor for suicide-related thoughts, even after accounting for other mental disorders.
A new University of Washington study reveals that US-born Asian-American women are more likely to contemplate suicide, with 15.93% experiencing suicidal thoughts in their lifetime and 6.29% attempting suicide.
A new study reveals that mental disorders beyond depression, such as anxiety and impulse-control issues, are strong predictors of suicidal thoughts and attempts, especially in developing countries. The researchers found that these disorders were equally predictive of suicidal behavior in both developed and developing countries.
A study by the University of Manchester found that homicides committed by mentally ill individuals rose significantly between 1997 and 2005, with a notable increase in schizophrenia-related homicides. The report also shows a decrease in suicides among mental health patients and in-patients.
A team of experts at Columbia University will conduct the largest ever study on suicide and mental health among military personnel, using $50 million in funding. The study aims to identify risk and protective factors for suicide among soldiers and provide a science base for effective interventions.
A study published in The Lancet found that economic crises are associated with rising suicide rates, particularly among working-age populations. Active labor market programs can help reduce the negative impact of unemployment on mortality rates, especially if implemented with adequate social protection mechanisms.
A new study found that job programs can successfully mitigate increased rates of suicides and alcohol abuse during economic downturns. The research team analyzed data from European Union countries over three decades and found that investing in active labor market programs can prevent a rise in deaths during recession.
A new study suggests that financial crises can lead to rises in suicides and homicides, but government investments in labour market protections could mitigate these effects. The research estimates that soaring stress brought on by job losses could prompt a rise in suicide rates, particularly in European Union countries.
The health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is attributed to cultural loss, poverty, and colonialism. The authors highlight the importance of addressing social determinants of health and promoting Indigenous wellbeing through cultural revitalization and community-based strategies.
A new study identified adding a trained depression care manager to primary care practices increases treatment, remission rates of depression, and reduces suicidal thoughts. Nearly 90% of patients in the PROSPECT care management group received treatment after two years.
A recent study found that severe nightmares are independently associated with elevated suicidal symptoms after accounting for depression. The research suggests that nightmares stand alone as a suicide risk factor, emphasizing the need for a more thorough assessment of sleep among acutely-ill patients.
A study by James Gangwisch found that later parental-mandated bedtimes for teens are associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, likely due to reduced sleep duration. The research suggests that adolescents require more sleep than previously thought, and inadequate sleep can lead to depression.
A new study published in Springer's journal Gender Issues highlights the significant problems faced by American boys, including lower literacy levels, higher drop-out rates, and increased rates of mental health issues. The research suggests that policy makers have largely neglected these issues, focusing instead on those affecting girls.
Researchers discovered sedatives and hypnotics are associated with a four-fold increase in suicide risk among the elderly. The study found that even after adjusting for mental disorders, sedative treatment was linked to an almost fourteen-fold increase in suicide risk.
Danish children who move frequently are at a higher risk of attempting or completing suicide between ages 11 and 17. Frequent moves disrupt social connections, cause stress and anxiety, affecting their mental health.
The National Institute of Mental Health is using Recovery Act funds to evaluate the effectiveness of a new training program for telephone crisis counselors. The training, which began in 2008, aims to assess the benefits of the training and shape telephone-based suicide prevention services across the country.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals a history of child abuse significantly impacts the challenges faced by depressed inpatients, including increased suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalizations. The research highlights the importance of aggressive approaches to prevent child abuse and stresses the need for more public health initiatives.
Researchers in Greenland found a strong correlation between the country's constant sunlight and an increase in suicides during the summer months. Most suicides occurred among young men, with violent methods accounting for 95% of cases.
The Elluam Tungiinun project, rooted in a Pulitzer Prize-winning series, has found that culturally appropriate ways can help Alaska Native youths find reasons to live and avoid substance abuse problems. The program uses cultural activities such as fishing and berry picking to teach protective factors that promote wellness.
The article discusses various risk factors that contribute to suicide, including male sex, psychiatric disorders, unemployment, and easy access to means. Mental health problems, such as depression and bipolar disorder, significantly increase the risk of suicide.
A study of 5,302 Finnish individuals found that childhood psychiatric problems were associated with later severe suicidality in males, particularly those with conduct, hyperactive, or emotional problems. In contrast, depression at age 8 was not linked to female suicidal behavior.
Research links sleep disturbances to higher risk of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts in adults. Scientists found a strong association between early morning awakening and increased likelihood of suicidal behaviors.
At-risk teens are more likely to seriously consider suicide if a friend of a friend attempts it, but holding summer jobs can be a deterrent. Summer employment is thought to create self-esteem while reducing isolation and substance abuse, and can even prevent the spread of suicidal thoughts among friends.
Researchers at Florida Institute of Technology have developed a virtual simulation tool that assesses the impact of crowd formation patterns on survival and injury rates during a suicide terrorist attack. The study suggests that following specific crowd formation patterns can reduce fatalities by 12% and injuries by 7%.
A recent study by Georgia State University researchers found that adolescent girls who perceive themselves as overweight are more likely to display suicidal behaviors than those who are actually overweight. The study analyzed data from 1999-2007 and estimated the potential economic costs of obesity-related suicides.
The US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate conducted an experiment where a retired public bus was rigged with explosives and cameras were detonated to assess their durability. Fourteen out of 16 memory chips survived the blast, demonstrating potential for these cameras in mass transit security.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that patients requesting physician-assisted death cite concerns about future suffering as a leading motivator. The study surveyed 56 patients and ranked factors influencing their requests, highlighting the importance of symptom control and patient sense of control.
A new study found that young men aged 24 or less who leave the UK Armed Forces have a two to three times higher risk of suicide compared to their peers. The risk is highest in those with short lengths of service and lower ranks, suggesting pre-military vulnerabilities may play a role.
Research found that young ex-military personnel are up to three times more likely to take their own lives than civilians, with those under 24 years old and in lower ranks being most vulnerable. The study suggests exposure to adverse experiences during military service may play a role in the increased suicide risk.
A study of 1,698 young adults found that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were more likely to attempt suicide than those exposed to traumatic events without developing PTSD. The researchers suggest that PTSD may be associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior.
A new study published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences examines the prevalence of 'Suicide by Cop' (SBC) among North American officer-involved shootings. The study found that SBC occurs at an extremely high rate, with 36% of all shootings categorized as SBC, resulting in a 50% chance of death or injury.
A new study found that collective religious rituals, not religious devotion, are linked to support for suicide attacks. Regular attendance at religious services was associated with increased support for parochial altruism and suicide attacks, but not with regular prayer.
A Swedish thesis found that people who experience nightmares after a suicide attempt are five times more likely to attempt suicide again. The study also revealed that sleeping difficulties do not increase the risk of repeat attempts, contrary to previous research.
A meta-analysis of 8 large-scale observational studies found that SSRIs significantly reduced the risk of completed or attempted suicide in adults with depression. The study suggests that prescribing SSRI medications is safe for patients with major depression, but children and adolescents should be closely monitored.
Nationwide Finnish study reveals that well-developed outpatient services and higher outpatient-to-inpatient ratios are associated with a significantly reduced risk of death by suicide. Emergency services operating 24/7 also showed a risk reduction of 16%.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Bath has found that men who were sexually abused as children are up to ten times more likely to contemplate taking their own lives. This increased risk is attributed to societal stigma and lack of confiding in others, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study by Temple University Sociology Professor Matt Wray found that Las Vegas faces a significantly higher suicide rate than the rest of the country. Residents and visitors to the city are more likely to die by suicide, with some even experiencing an increased risk when traveling away from home.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine found that late teens from disadvantaged neighborhoods are four times more likely to attempt suicide. The researchers also discovered that these youth experience higher levels of depressive symptoms and lower social support.
A study found that the genome in people who have committed suicide as a result of major depression was being chemically modified, with nearly ten times the rate of methylation compared to control groups. This modification involved genes regulating behavior and neurotransmitter receptors.
Suicide rates among UK teens aged 10-19 decreased by 28%, particularly among males, who experienced a 35% drop. Young males are more likely to commit suicide than females, with three times the rate of female adolescents.
The US suicide rate has increased for the first time in a decade, with the largest annual increase seen among middle-aged white women. This trend is part of a broader shift in the epidemiology of suicide, with middle-aged whites emerging as a new high-risk group.
Injury-related deaths account for over 10% of all Chinese deaths, mainly due to traffic accidents, drowning, and pesticide poisoning. The authors suggest implementing low-cost prevention measures such as stricter driving laws, pesticide restrictions, and swimming education to reduce injury mortality rates.
Researchers found that when a single telomere is lost, it can cause many abnormalities in a cell's chromosomes, leading to cancer. A new treatment route for cancer may be possible by interfering with the process of adding new telomeres.
A decade-long study by University at Buffalo researchers investigates the physical and mental health effects of policing, revealing high risks of coronary events, cholesterol levels, pulse rates, and diastolic blood pressure. The study also examines shift work's impact on stress and suicide risk in police officers.
A study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers found that physicians' personalities, particularly dutifulness and vulnerability, influence their approach to assessing depression. High dutifulness is associated with fewer questions about depression, while high vulnerability is linked to more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers studied 1021 pregnant women who attempted suicide with drugs and found that most congenital abnormalities were associated with psychiatric disorders and lifestyle factors rather than the drugs themselves. The study suggests using self-poisoning data to estimate human teratogenic risks of drugs in pregnancy.
A study found that older problem gamblers are three to four times more likely to harm themselves than younger counterparts. They prefer non-strategic games, which may accelerate the downward spiral of gambling problems.
A pilot program identified and treated college students with severe depression, saving lives through a suicide prevention outreach initiative. The study found that online dialogue features and secure websites reduced stigma and increased treatment rates among high-risk students.
Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health suggest a broader approach to treating potentially suicidal individuals, addressing not only mental illness but also access to lethal means. This population-based approach recognizes that the physical environment can have a profound effect on the likelihood of completed suicide.
After a decade-long decline, US youth suicide rates surged by 18% in 2003-2004, with the trend persisting into 2005. Researchers suspect prescription antidepressant medication may be a contributing factor, as concerns over side effects led to a 20% drop in prescriptions.
Recent trials show intermittent HIV treatment increases risk of infections and death. A large-scale survey links 'burnout' to suicidal thoughts in med students, but finds it reversible. Whistleblower-initiated legal action against Medicare fraud has increased significantly since the 1990s.
Recent reports suggest antidepressants might exacerbate suicidal tendencies, leading to increased scrutiny of their efficacy. Studies show that depression is a significant risk factor for suicide, with over 60% of completed suicides linked to mood disorders.
A recent survey found that over half of college students reported having at least one episode of suicidal thinking, while 15% seriously considered attempting suicide. The study suggests that interventions should be offered at multiple points, not just during crisis, to address the entire continuum of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
A recent study by University of California, Davis researchers found that Asian Americans with high levels of family conflict are three times more likely to attempt suicide than those without such conflicts. The risk is independent of depression and income levels.
Researchers found that women with a history of psychiatric disorders or substance abuse were more likely to attempt suicide postpartum. The study suggests screening for past diagnoses during prenatal care may identify high-risk women.
A new study finds that proteins modifying DNA play a key role in major depression and suicide, with brain tissue showing higher rates of epigenetic regulation. The research, led by Dr. Michael O. Poulter, identifies a gene involved in regulating brain activity as being heavily chemically modified in deceased individuals.