Articles tagged with Suicide
A pooled analysis of firearm-related deaths from 2000 to 2019 found that permit requirements and prohibition of violent misdemeanor possession had decreased total firearm-related deaths and homicide rates. Synergic legislative action to implement firearm laws in proximate states may help prevent firearm-related deaths.
A new study by UCL researchers found that problem drinking is associated with a higher risk of suicide and self-harm, particularly among those with 'probable dependence'. The study also identified signs of alcohol negatively impacting people's lives as risk factors.
A new study by Syracuse University researchers found that more conservative state policies were associated with higher mortality rates among US workers. The study suggests that liberalizing policies on gun safety, labor, and tobacco taxes could lower mortality rates.
A pilot study found that a firearm safety program may not reach all parents equitably, with disparities affecting girls and some racial and ethnic minorities. The program aims to reduce suicide deaths by securely storing firearms.
A Rutgers study suggests that messages on safe firearm storage delivered by military law enforcement are more effective in persuading service members to adopt safe storage practices. The study found that participants responded positively to visual messages voiced by security forces, particularly with respect to using locking devices.
The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on finding and publicizing firearm storage locations, as well as sample storage agreements. Eight states already have partial maps available online, with Colorado and Washington leading the way.
The USPSTF concludes that screening for major depressive disorder (MDD) is insufficient for children under 12, while recommending it for adolescents. Screening for suicidal ideation and attempts is also recommended for all ages in question.
The AAP recommends a public safety approach, including research, education, and legislation, to prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths in children and youth. The organization cites alarming increases in homicides and suicides, especially among teens aged 15-24.
Researchers found that machine learning models outperformed traditional risk prediction models in predicting suicide-related outcomes. These models can identify patterns associated with suicide risk and have been shown to correctly predict 66% of people who would experience a suicide outcome.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study found that increasing mental health providers at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities likely reduced suicide-related events among veterans who recently returned from active service. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 veterans and found a significant reduction in su...
Researchers have identified a previously unknown biological contributor to postpartum depression: impaired autophagy, which limits the body's ability to clean up old genetic material. This finding may lead to new treatments and early identification of women at risk before they become ill.
Researchers used multi-omics technologies to analyze samples from 350 patients with major depressive disorder, finding distinct blood-based signatures between those with and without a history of attempted suicide. Variations in genes CLOCK and ARNTL were associated with lower antidepressant response rates.
A study by Queen Mary University of London and University of Nottingham found that patients with young onset dementia are at a high risk of suicide, particularly if under 65 or have psychiatric illness. Early recognition and support after diagnosis are crucial in reducing distress caused by this devastating condition.
A nationally representative study of 594,000 persons in England found an increased risk of suicide associated with dementia diagnosis before age 65. The study identified younger patients diagnosed within the 3-month post-diagnostic period as high-risk groups for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
The October issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry focus on diagnosis and treatment of opioid use disorder and cannabis use disorder. Psychiatric Services features research reports on issues related to mental health services for people with serious mental illness.
A recent study found that patients who filled prescriptions for folic acid experienced a 44% reduction in suicidal events over a two-year period. Filling a prescription for folic acid was associated with a decreased risk of attempting suicide, even after adjusting for various confounding factors.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found a significant increase in suicide rates among women and younger age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Excess suicide deaths for men and women were recorded, with sub-group analyses revealing a positive correlation between increased mortality and specific age ranges.
A new study by a global team of researchers has revealed subtle alterations in the size of the brain's prefrontal region in young people with mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The study suggests that these associations may be absent or more difficult to identify in more diverse samples.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that youth engaged in digital self-harm are 5-7 times more likely to have considered suicide and 9-15 times more likely to attempt it. The research highlights the importance of screening for digital self-harm to address underlying mental health issues.
Research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a significant association between paid sick leave requirements and reduced mortality among US adult workers. The study found that state preemption laws hindering local mandates contribute to increased workforce mortality.
Researchers discovered a significant difference in saliva bacteria between college students who reported recent suicidal thoughts and those without. Students with recent suicidal ideation had higher levels of bacteria associated with inflammatory health conditions and lower levels of Alloprevotella rava, which promotes brain health.
A new study reveals that methamphetamine use is widespread in rural America, driving overdoses and deaths. The research found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had a significantly higher risk of nonfatal overdose, with 22% reporting an overdose in the past six months.
A new study found that COVID-19 lockdowns significantly increased suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among patients with serious mental illness in Serbia. The study also highlighted the need for protections to mitigate mental health consequences during future lockdowns.
A study by West Virginia University found that over 7% of junior high and high school students in rural Appalachia identified as gender-diverse, including nonbinary or transgender identities. This exceeds previous estimates and highlights the need for support services in these areas.
A synthetic control analysis of California's millionaire tax found that additional funding could improve mental health outcomes. The study suggests that investing in mental health programs may have prevented up to 5,500 suicides over a 14-year period.
A large-scale survey of 62,000 participants found a significant association between everyday discrimination and moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Participants from Hispanic or Latino and non-Hispanic Asian backgrounds who experienced racism were at higher risk for these conditions.
Research found that everyday discrimination during COVID-19 led to increased odds of moderate to severe depression and suicidal ideation, particularly among Hispanic/Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander participants. The study highlights the need for clinicians and society to address the toll of discrimination on mental health.
Research teams at Mass General Brigham will conduct large-scale studies to treat acute suicidal depressed state and bipolar depression. The studies aim to compare the effectiveness of various treatments and provide valuable data on treatment outcomes.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved funding awards totaling $258 million to support 26 new research studies. These studies aim to fill evidence gaps and improve healthcare decision making for a range of high-burden conditions, including mental health, heart conditions, asthma, bone fractures, and sinus...
A study published in American Journal of Medicine Open found that gun death rates among US children increased by 30% from 2010 to 2019. States with stronger gun control laws, such as New York and California, saw a decrease in youth firearm mortality rates, suggesting that policies can impact the epidemic of youth suicides.
A new study published in Psychiatric Services finds that large-scale training in suicide prevention is possible, with healthcare professionals reporting improved understanding of suicide and how to respond. The training aims to educate and empower providers to identify at-risk behaviors and discuss limitations of lethal means.
A new study from the University of California - Davis Health suggests machine learning can identify handgun purchasers at high risk of firearm suicide. The algorithm used predictive factors such as handgun categories, caliber size, and previous gun purchases to forecast the likelihood of firearm suicide.
Researchers used machine learning techniques on a statewide database of handgun transactions to forecast firearm suicide risk. The study found a significant association between handgun sales and subsequent firearm suicides.
A UC San Diego study reveals six overarching themes contributing to physician job stress and suicide, including physical health deterioration and financial stress. The research calls for short-term solutions like improved access to primary care and long-term changes to address workplace culture and self-care.
A new IU screening tool, Convergent Functional Information for Suicidality (CFI-S), has been validated to predict 80-90% of future suicidality. The tool identifies top risk factors such as feeling useless or unneeded, history of suicidality, and social isolation.
A new study found that children with immune-mediated inflammatory disease have a significantly higher risk of premature death, particularly from cancer and suicide. The research, which analyzed data from over 12,000 patients, highlights the need for early cancer screening and mental health support in pediatric care.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that states with hate crime laws protecting LGBTQ populations have lower rates of suicide attempts among both sexual and gender minority students, as well as heterosexual students. Overall, suicide attempt rates decreased by 16% in those states.
A new England-wide study found a strong association between intimate partner violence and self-harm and suicidality in both men and women, regardless of age. The study used data from over 7,000 adults in England and found that people who experienced IPV had higher rates of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Researchers found that states implementing Medicaid expansion saw a slower increase in suicide rates compared to those that didn't expand access. The study estimated that 1,818 suicides were averted between 2014 and 2018, with improved mental health care playing a crucial role.
A new study found that 64% of adults who had contact with the child welfare system as children achieve excellent mental health, highlighting resilience and factors associated with flourishing. Chronic pain, major depression, and social isolation hinder optimal mental health.
A new analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry shows that brief suicide prevention interventions delivered in healthcare settings drastically underreport the strategies needed for successful implementation. On average, about 85% of these strategies were missing from published reports.
Despite widespread concern, most research on Covid-19 and its impact on mental health found no significant increase in suicide rates globally. In low- and middle-income countries, some studies even reported a decrease in rates of suicide and self-harm following the pandemic.
Researchers analyzed data from 599 patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and found that 34% have attempted suicide, with high rates of suicidal ideation, planning, and self-injury among women. The study highlights the need for accurate diagnosis and screening of suicidal ideation in patients with PMDD.
A UC Davis Health study found that patients on stable but higher-dose opioid therapy who had their doses tapered by at least 15% had significantly higher rates of overdose and mental health crisis in the second year after tapering compared to their pre-tapering period. The risks were greatest in patients with the highest baseline doses.
A new study finds that women using hormonal contraceptives have lower rates of attempted suicides compared to those who do not use them. The research, published by the European Psychiatric Association, analyzed data from over 587,000 Finnish women and found a significant reduction in suicide attempts among hormonal contraceptive users.
A new study finds that transgender adolescents are at a significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared to their cisgender peers. The research suggests that targeted interventions, such as suicide prevention programs and gender-affirming care, can help reduce the burden of suicidality among this group.
The number of US children suspected to have attempted suicide by poisoning increased by 26.7% between 2015 and 2020, according to researchers at the University of Virginia Health System. The majority of these cases involved girls, and the age group with the largest increase was children aged 10-12.
A large retrospective study examines the impact of pandemic-related school closures on children's mental health, finding that adolescent females were disproportionately affected. The study reveals a substantial rise in hospitalizations for suicide, psychosis, and eating disorders after statewide school closure orders.
A global analysis of firearm suicide data found that deaths from self-inflicted shootings decreased worldwide between 1990 and 2019. However, an increase in firearm suicides was observed in 31 countries, particularly in developing nations, suggesting a need for targeted public health efforts to reduce these deaths.
Adolescents with access to firearms have a 1.5 times higher odds of prior suicide attempt and current suicidal ideation, according to the study. Over 40% of adolescents presenting to the ED had moderate to severe depressive symptoms and access to a gun.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a devastating rise in adolescent mental health crises, with 60% of admitted patients exhibiting suicidal ideation or attempting suicide. Mental health admissions increased for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance-related disorders, particularly among girls.
A new observational study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center compares an artificial intelligence algorithm with face-to-face screening for estimating suicide risk. The ensemble learning method produced nearly always better predictions across the board compared to C-SSRS or VSAIL alone.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that pharmacists are at a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population, with a rate of 20 per 100,000 pharmacists versus 12 per 100,000 in the general population.
Researchers say expanded inquiries can save lives by identifying vulnerable individuals who may not be reporting suicidal ideation. Tailoring assessments to individual situations can help medical professionals uncover hidden risks and prevent tragedies.
Researchers investigated patterns of reported suicidal thoughts, planning, and behavior among firearm owners compared to non-owners. The study found a significant association between gun ownership and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
A recent study found significant racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths from external causes, including homicide, suicide, and transportation accidents. The study estimated these disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities.
Researchers developed a novel gene expression approach to identify potential blood biomarkers associated with suicide in major depressive disorder. The study analyzed data from non-preserved blood samples and found significant differences in gene expression changes linked to stress response, immune dysregulation, and telomere maintenance.
Researchers at the University of South Florida conducted a comprehensive review of data on 25,000 Canadians and found that long-term well-being is a realistic goal for some patients with mental illnesses. The study revealed that symptoms only correlate modestly with well-being, and that earlier treatment may improve outcomes.
The May issues of American Psychiatric Association journals explore the cognitive impacts of long-term cannabis use, the intersection of climate change and mental health, and tools to address children's mental health. The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services feature research reports on these topics.
A Rutgers study found that nontraditional 9/11 emergency workers are more than five times as likely to have considered suicide, with 12.5% expressing suicidal ideation compared to 2.2% of traditional first responders. Factors contributing to this disparity include inadequate training and financial hardship.