Changes In Suicide Mortality Research Articles

"Breaking the silence" suicide Prevention media campaign in Oregon: Evaluation of impact on help-seeking and suicide mortality.

Research has established that suicide-related media can impact suicide rates both positively and negatively, supporting efforts to engage the media in the service of suicide prevention. The goal of the current study is to evaluate the impact of a suicide prevention media campaign implemented April 7-14, 2019 in Oregon. Several indices of help-seeking behavior and suicide risk were employed: suicide-related Google Health API searches, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) (currently known as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) call volume, and state suicide mortality data from April 7, 2016-May 6, 2019. Eight states with similar 2016-2018 average suicide rates were compared with Oregon. Bayesian structural time-series modeling in R was used to test intervention effects. During the 30 days following the start of the campaign, there was a significant increase in Lifeline calls from Oregon area codes (2488 observed vs. 2283 expected calls, p = 0.03). There were no significant changes in suicide mortality or suicide-related Google searches in Oregon. The campaign appeared to increase help-seeking behavior in the form of Lifeline calls, without any indication of an iatrogenic suicide contagion effect. However, the campaign's potential to reduce suicide mortality was unmet.

Temporal Changes in Suicide Mortality Rates Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Colombia. A Joint Point Regression Model

IntroductionThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was declared in March 2020. This disease affects the respiratory system, and shown high rates of morbidity and mortality during 2020 and 2021. Neurological compromise and increased rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and substance abuse have also been described. Public health policies to prevent COVID-19 infection, decrease in control and monitoring of mental illness, and social and economic impact may have contributed to the increase in suicidal ideation and suicides. It is not yet clear if there have been changes in suicide mortality rates in Colombia before and during the pandemic. ObjectiveTo describe and analyze the changes in the temporal trends of suicide mortality rates in Colombia between 2008 and 2020. MethodsBased on national records, suicide mortality rates observed in Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic were calculated and compared with those reported in previous years (2008–2019). Mortality rates were analyzed by age, sex, educational level, type of affiliation to health system, region, and etiology of death by suicide. Using the joint point regression software 3.4.4, changes in time trends in suicide mortality rates were estimated for each mentioned variable. Annual percentage changes (APC) were estimated, and their statistical significance was calculated. ResultsThe crude suicide mortality rate in Colombia in 2020 (5.4 per 100000 inhabitants) decreased compared to those reported in the previous 3 years. Estimates of changes in time trends in suicide mortality rates between 2008 and 2020 showed a decrease in men of −5.28 (APC) (p<0.05) between 2018 and 2020, and an increase in women of 3.75 (APC) (p<0.05) between 2011 and 2020. Regarding age (by five-year periods), an increase of 3.87 (APC) (p<0.05) was determined in people between 15 and 19 years old between 2012 and 2020. According to health system affiliation regimen, decreases were estimated between 2016 and 2020 (−58.45 CPA; p<0.05) for people affiliated to especial and exceptional health regimes; and between 2015 and 2020 (−53.49 CPA; p<0.05) for the uninsured. ConclusionsThe crude suicide mortality rate during the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia decreased compared to what was reported in the previous years. Although significant changes were found in the temporal trends of suicide mortality rates in different periods for all variables, no significant increases were identified between 2019 and 2020.

Suicide mortality in Portugal after 4 mediatized suicides from 1996 to 2020

Many international studies describe a relation between prominent and sensational suicide reporting and subsequent rises in suicide rates – the Werther effect –, especially when involving celebrities, but that relation has never been investigated in Portugal. In this article, we intend to examine whether there were increases in suicides in Portugal in the 3 and 5 months following four national mediatized suicides, including a triple youth suicide and the suicides of two famous entertainment celebrities and a well-known journalist. We used monthly suicide count data for Portugal from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) for the period of January 1990 to December 2020, stratified by sex, method, and age group. We conducted a Poisson regression model to determine if there were changes in suicide mortality in the 3 and 5 months after the selected suicides. We found statistically significant increases in total, male, and same age group suicides after the death of actor Pedro Lima and a rise in total, female, same age group, and poisoning suicides following the death of singer Cândida Branca Flor. However, in the latter case, the rises coincide with a major change in the suicide counting system. No such statistically significant increases in suicides were found in the months following the other two suicide cases, either by method, sex, or age group. Our findings show that the Werther Effect appears to occur in some, but not all, cases of mediatized suicides in Portugal, but these results should be considered amid several contextual factors. They provide an opportunity to alert media professionals to the importance of making suicide reporting in Portugal more responsible.

Changes in Suicide Mortality Among Residents of Suzhou, China, During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Changes in Suicide Mortality Among Residents of Suzhou, China, During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Suicide Mortality by Place, Gender, and Age Group - China, 2010-2021.

Suicide is an important public health concern in China. We examined suicide mortality by place, sex, and age group from 2010 to 2021 to identify and quantify significant suicide mortality changes in China. We retrieved age-standardized and age-specific suicide mortality rates by place (urban vs. rural) and sex from the Chinese Health Statistical Yearbook and population data from the 2010 and 2020 Chinese National Population Census. Line graphs were used to demonstrate trends in suicide mortality. Joinpoint regression models were fitted to detect the time periods experiencing significant suicide mortality changes, and average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change were reported to quantify changes in suicide mortality from 2010 to 2021. The overall age-standardized suicide mortality rate decreased from 10.88 to 5.25 per 100,000 population between 2010 and 2021 (AAPC=-5.3%, 95% confidence interval: -6.5%, -4.0%). Similar reductions in suicide mortality were observed for both males and females, as well as in urban and rural settings during this period. From 2010 to 2021, significant declines in suicide mortality were observed among the three older age groups (25-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65 years or above), while a substantial increase was noted in the youngest age group (5-14 years). No significant change was found in suicide mortality rates for the 15-24 year age group. Subgroup analyses based on location and sex revealed consistent findings. The findings of this study suggest a probable overall success of suicide prevention efforts in China over the past decade. However, the recent increase in suicide mortality among children aged 5-14 years calls for the attention of injury researchers, policymakers, and public health practitioners.

Epidemiological Aspects of Suicide in the East Kazakhstan Region

Objective: To study the trends of mortality from intentional self-harm in the East Kazakhstan region.Methods. The main sources of information were the materials of the state registration of the deceased as a whole from intentional self–harm (ICD 10 - X60-84) for 2004-2013. Materials related to the East Kazakhstan region were analyzed. A retrospective study using descriptive and analytical methods of modern epidemiology was used as the main method in the study of mortality from intentional self-harm.Results. In 2004-2013, 38,276 cases of intentional injuries were registered in Kazakhstan, of which only 5998 (15.7%) suicides occurred in the East Kazakhstan region. The average age of those who died from suicide was 40.4±0.5 years. The average annual crude mortality rates from intentional self–harm among both sexes amounted to 42.2±2.40/0000 (95%CI=37.5-47.0). In dynamics, the crude mortality rate for both sexes decreased, and the average annual rate of decline was T=−5.0%. Age-sex differences in suicide mortality rates were revealed. The analysis of age-related mortality rates from intentional self-harm in both sexes in the studied region showed a unimodal increase with a peak in the age group of 30-49 years.Conclusion. The analysis of mortality from suicide showed that in the East Kazakhstan region, mortality is decreasing significantly. The data obtained make it possible to monitor trends and changes in suicide mortality. This helps to assess the effectiveness of measures to reduce the risk of suicide and adjust strategies and programs depending on changing conditions.Keywords: suicides, age and gender characteristics, epidemiology, trends, East Kazakhstan region

Incidence and risk factors of suicide in patients with lung cancer: a scoping review.

To explore the high-risk period of the occupation of suicide after diagnosis; and clarify the risk factors of suicidal behaviors (suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicidal death) behind the lung cancer patients during the cancer cure process. This scoping review was conducted through the whole month of April 2021. We extracted data of the suicide mortality after diagnosis and latent risk factors of suicidal behaviors among lung cancer patients where we used to study from the two online databases which are PubMed and Web of Science. Two online databases were searched and written in English without age restriction. To note that the standardized mortality ratio (SMR), person-years, and odds ratio (OR) associated with lung cancer were documented. Out of 570 records, 23 studies mentioned suicidal behaviors and lung cancer met the included criteria. Eleven (n = 47.8%) of the selected publications reported changes in suicide mortality. None of them reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempt after diagnosis. The individuals with lung cancer have significantly higher rates of suicidal death (SMR, 2.04-13.4) during the first years after diagnosis and decrease over subsequent years (SMR, 0.66-3.17). The median time from cancer diagnosis to suicide death was around 7months. Across all studies with the 22 studies that examined factors, we extracted the data of the suicidal ideation (n = 3), suicide attempt (n = 1), and suicidal death (n = 18) in individuals. For patients with suicidal ideation, there was a significantly higher incidence in males than in females. Among patients who attempted suicide, the incidence of mental illness is greater than the incidence of physical illness. Factors for suicidal death, including gender (male, 56.3-100%), prognosis tumors (poor, 25.8-66.3%), marital status (widowhood or unmarried, 19-75.7%), and age of patients (> 70years, 24.5-47%) with lung cancer, play a vital role. Treatment of lung cancer is expected to affect a patient in his/her mental state. Overall, our finding indicates that lung cancer patients have been presented with a higher incidence of suicide death in a specific period, especially the early years after diagnosis. Discovering risk factors for suicide helps prevent potential suicide. It is essential to screen lung cancer patients for suicidal ideation, especially those with high-risk factors. Future prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings to support care.

Sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method in 58 countries between 2000 and 2015

ObjectiveTo examine recent changes in sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method across countries.MethodsUsing mortality data from the WHO mortality database, we compared sex-specific, age-specific and country-specific suicide mortality by...

Padrões espaço-temporais do suicídio: estudo ecológico

Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial e temporal da mortalidade por suicídio em residentes do estado de Pernambuco no período de 1996 a 2015, utilizando-se técnicas de análise espacial e estatísticas. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo ecológico que terá como unidade de análise os municípios. A fonte de dados será constituída pelos suicídios registrados no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade, no período de 1996 a 2015. A tendência temporal será analisada pela técnica de regressão linear simples. A partir dos coeficientes brutos da mortalidade por suicídio será aplicado o método Bayesiano Empírico Local para correção de flutuações aleatórias do indicador. Os Índices de Moran Global e Local serão adotados para apontar a existência de correlação e aglomerados espaciais no território. Resultados esperados: identificar mudanças temporais na mortalidade por suicídio no período estudado e localizar possíveis aglomerados espaciais que possam representar áreas prioritárias para o planejamento de intervenções e ações de saúde.

Age, period and cohort effects on suicide mortality in Russia, 1956\u22122005

BackgroundRussian suicide mortality rates changed rapidly over the second half of the twentieth century. This study attempts to differentiate between underlying period and cohort effects in relation to the changes in suicide mortality in Russia between 1956 and 2005.MethodsSex- and age-specific suicide mortality data were analyzed using an age-period-cohort (APC) approach. Descriptive analyses and APC modeling with log-linear Poisson regression were performed.ResultsStrong period effects were observed for the years during and after Gorbachev’s political reforms (including the anti-alcohol campaign) and for those following the break-up of the Soviet Union. After mutual adjustment, the cohort- and period-specific relative risk estimates for suicide revealed differing underlying processes. While the estimated period effects had an overall positive trend, cohort-specific developments indicated a positive trend for the male cohorts born between 1891 and 1931 and for the female cohorts born between 1891 and 1911, but a negative trend for subsequent cohorts.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the specific life experiences of cohorts may be important for variations in suicide mortality across time, in addition to more immediate effects of changes in the social environment.

Changes in Suicide Mortality for Veterans and Nonveterans by Gender and History of VHA Service Use, 2000-2010.

Veterans are believed to be at high risk of suicide. However, research comparing suicide rates between veterans and nonveterans is limited, and even less is known regarding differences by history of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) service use. This study directly compared veteran and nonveteran suicide risk while for the first time differentiating veterans by VHA service use. The cross-sectional study analyzed data from 173,969 adult suicide decedents from 23 states (2000-2010) included in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suicide data archive. Annual standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed for veterans compared with nonveterans and for veterans who used VHA services compared with veterans who did not, overall and separately for males and females. After the analysis controlled for age and gender differences, the number of observed veteran suicides was approximately 20% higher than expected in 2000 (SMR=1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.10-1.28), and this increased to 60% higher by 2010 (SMR=1.63, CI=1.58-1.68). The elevated risk for female veterans (2010 SMR=5.89) was higher than that observed for male veterans (2010 SMR=1.54). Trends for non-VHA-utilizing veterans mirrored those of the veteran population as a whole, and the SMR for VHA-utilizing veterans declined. Since 2003, the number of suicides among VHA-utilizing veterans was less than expected when compared directly with the suicide rate among non-VHA-utilizing veterans. Veterans are members of the community and, as such, are an important part of observed increases in U.S. suicide rates. Not all veterans are at equal or increasing risk of suicide, however. VHA-utilizing veterans appear to have declining absolute and relative suicide rates.

Trends in US suicide mortality rates 1968 to 1982: race and sex differences in age, period and cohort components.

Interest has recently emerged in increases in suicide among US teenagers. Nonetheless suicide remains one of the major causes of death among the fastest growing components of the US population--the elderly. We examine the trends in US age-specific suicide rates for the period 1962 to 1981 for four elderly race and sex groups. The trends were analysed using a Poisson regression model which isolated the age, period, cohort effects for suicide mortality for demographic groups. Age, period and cohort effects all significantly contributed to these trends. The race and sex differences were largest for the age pattern of changes in suicide mortality. Of particular interest was the different contribution of each of these factors to recent increases in mortality at advanced ages for black males--a hitherto little recognized or studied trend.

Suicide in England and Wales: an analysis of 100 years, 1876-1975.

The variations in suicide mortality in England and Wales over a 100-year period (1876-1975) are explained by the development of a descriptive model. The model used in a stepwise linear regression using 5 variables including toxic gas production. The variables give a good description of the observed changes in suicide mortality. The limitations of the method and the data are discussed. Despite the limitations of the method, it can be concluded that toxic gas production affected total suicide mortality.