Suicide Prevention Research Research Articles

Leveraging data science to enhance suicide prevention research: a literature review

ObjectiveThe purpose of this research is to identify how data science is applied in suicide prevention literature, describe the current landscape of this literature and highlight areas where data science...

Black Americans report greater resilience to suicide unless its interpersonally motivated and are more accepting of others right to die

PurposeSuicide is a public health crisis that differentially affects racial and ethnic groups. Suicide is a public health crisis that differentially affects racial and ethnic groups. American Indians had the highest per capita suicide rates (11.1 for females and 33.4 for males) followed by White Americans (8.0 for females and 29.8 for males; Centers for Disease Control, 2019). There is an emerging focus on racial/ethnic disparities in suicide prevention research. Prior studies suggest that more accepting attitudes toward suicide are associated with elevated suicide risk status. As such, this study aims to examine the association between racial/ethnic identity and three attitude domains: the right to die, interpersonal gestures and resilience.Design/methodology/approachGeneral linear models were used to compare racial/ethnic groups in right to die, interpersonal gestures and resilience attitudes.FindingsParticipants who identified as Native American or Black were more likely than participants who identified as White, Bi/Multi-racial and Hispanic to hold attitudes supporting interpersonal motivations for suicide. Participants who identified as Black were more likely than participants who identified as White to hold right to die attitudes. Participants who identified as Black were more likely than White participants to report not viewing suicide as an option. These results suggest that racial/ethnic identity impacts attitudes toward suicide. People who identify as Native American or Black may be more likely to see suicide as acceptable for interpersonal reasons despite those who identify as Black being less likely to see suicide as an option. This study has implications for suicide prevention programs and interventions within racial/ethnic communities. Focusing interventions on attitudes supporting interpersonal motivations for suicide may increase effectiveness within Native American and Black communities.Originality/valueThis study aimed to fill a gap in suicide prevention research by examining associations between racial/ethnic identity and responses to a multidimensional attitude toward suicide measure. No prior study has compared attitudes across multiple domains and racial/ethnic groups.

Suicide prevention research grants

Suicide prevention research grants

Bibliometric Analysis of Suicide Research Among Black Youth

Historically, Black youth have had lower rates of suicide attempts in comparison to their peers; however, in recent years this rate has changed, with self-reported suicide attempts for Black adolescents rising by 73%. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of research on Black youth and suicide using bibliometric techniques. To conduct our analysis, we developed a search strategy utilizing the Scopus database for the time period from 1980 to 2020. Results indicated an increasing trend in the number of articles published each year related to Black youth and suicide. The most highly productive journals were the Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, Pediatrics, and Journal of Youth and Adolescence. Authors who frequently published in this area include Nadine Kaslow, Rheeda Walker, and Sean Joe. While this research area is growing, there is a lack of published articles focused on interventions for suicide prevention and non-comparative race specific research focused on Black youth.

A systematic analysis and prioritization of suicide prevention research gaps.

This study identified and prioritized research gaps for suicide prevention in the Department of Defense to inform future research investments. The 2019 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide was the primary source document for research gaps, supplemented by an updated literature search. Institutional stakeholders rated the identified research gaps and ranked the gap categories. We used Q factor analysis to derive a list of the prioritized research gaps and category rankings. Thirty-five research gaps were identified and prioritized. The highest rated research gap topic was lethal means safety interventions and their effectiveness in increasing safety behaviors and/or reducing suicide-related outcomes. Research on the effectiveness of crisis response planning and several other non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy, technology-based behavioral interventions, and applications of dialectical behavior therapy to non-Borderline patients) were also rated highly by stakeholders. This work generated a list of priorities for future suicide research as evaluated by Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs stakeholders. Our findings can help guide the efforts of suicide researchers and inform decisions about future research funding for suicide prevention.

Making the Case for Suicide Risk Screening in Outpatient Podiatry Patients: An Opportunity for Injury Prevention.

Despite prevention efforts, suicide rates continue to rise, prompting the need for novel evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention. Patients presenting with foot and ankle disorders in a podiatric medical and surgical practice may represent a population at risk for suicide, given risk factors of chronic pain and debilitating injury. Screening has the potential to identify people at risk that may otherwise go unrecognized. This quality improvement project aimed to determine the feasibility of implementing suicide risk screening in an outpatient podiatry clinic and ambulatory surgical center. A suicide risk screening quality improvement project was implemented in an outpatient podiatry clinic and ambulatory surgical center in collaboration with a National Institute of Mental Health suicide prevention research team. Following training for all staff, patients aged 18 years and older were screened for suicide risk with the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions as standard of care. Clinic staff were surveyed about their opinions of screening. Ninety-four percent of patients (442 of 470) agreed to be screened for suicide risk and nine patients (nine of 442 [2%]) were screened as nonacute positive; zero patients were screened as acute risk. The majority of clinic staff reported that they found screening acceptable, felt comfortable working with patients who have suicidal thoughts, and thought screening for suicide risk was clinically useful. Suicide risk screening was successfully implemented in an outpatient podiatry clinic. Screening with the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions instrument provided valuable information that would not have been ascertained otherwise, positively impacting clinical decision-making and leading to improved overall care for podiatry patients.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Computational Linguistics in Suicide Prevention

Suicide, a leading cause of death, is a complex and a hard-to-predict human tragedy. In this article, we introduce a comprehensive outlook on the emerging movement to integrate computational linguistics (CL) in suicide prevention research and practice. Focusing mainly on the state-of-the-art deep neural network models, in this “travel guide” article, we describe, in a relatively plain language, how CL methodologies could facilitate early detection of suicide risk. Major potential contributions of CL methodologies (e.g., word embeddings, interpretational frameworks) for deepening that theoretical understanding of suicide behaviors and promoting the personalized approach in psychological assessment are presented as well. We also discuss principal ethical and methodological obstacles in CL suicide prevention, such as the difficulty to maintain people’s privacy/safety or interpret the “black box” of prediction algorithms. Ethical guidelines and practical methodological recommendations addressing these obstacles are provided for future researchers and clinicians.

Ringing the Alarm on Suicide Prevention: A Call to Action

Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the US and worldwide. Devastatingly, it disproportionately affects youth, making it a leading contributor to years of life lost as well. Whereas the US federal government has prioritized the study and prevention of other causes of death, causing mortality rates from them to drop precipitously (e.g., cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS), this is not true of suicide. Funding for suicide prevention research is less than one-third of that allocated to other leading causes of death, and as a result the US suicide rate now is virtually identical to what it was 100 years ago. This situation is alarming and requires immediate action.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

Democratic senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Tim Kaine of Virginia exclusively told CNN that they plan to introduce the COVID‐19 Mental Health Research Act, CNN reported March 9. The legislation would direct $100 million annually for five years to the National Institute of Mental Health to fund research on the mental health consequences of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Paul Tonko and Republican Rep. John Katko, both of New York, will introduce the House version of the legislation. “Children, adolescents, and seniors have also been uniquely impacted,” Klobuchar said in a statement to CNN. “To understand how we can best support them — and all Americans — through this difficult time, we must assess the scope of this mental health crisis and take steps to promote recovery and healing.” In a statement, Katko said, “This bipartisan, bicameral bill will fund targeted research to strengthen our nation's mental health response and examine the toll of this pandemic on frontline healthcare workers. The bill will also provide crucial funding for suicide prevention research and assess the long‐term impacts of COVID‐19 stressors on mental health.”

Preventing Suicide Among Homeless Veterans: A Consensus Statement by the Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Among Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Workgroup.

Preventing Suicide Among Homeless Veterans: A Consensus Statement by the Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Among Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Workgroup.

Comorbidities Increase Suicide Risk in People With Autism

Comorbidities Increase Suicide Risk in People With Autism

Suicide prevention across the UK criminal justice system: an overview of current provision and future directions

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an overview of current suicide prevention across the UK criminal justice system (CJS). It considers shortcomings in current provision and how improvements could be made by drawing on international practice. Recommendations for practice going forward and suggestions for future research are made based on the literature.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides an overview of suicide prevention research to date. Relevant literature was identified through a basic journal article search, including terms such as “probation”, “criminal justice system”, “suicide”, “suicide prevention”, “UK” and “suicide theory”.FindingsThis paper highlights opportunities to improve practice based on the current evidence base, making several recommendations and suggestions for practice, including improving multi-agency cooperation through clearer distribution of responsibilities, simplifying data sharing and investing in trauma-focussed suicide training for staff.Practical implicationsThis paper considers how research and psychological theory has informed suicide prevention practice in the UK. Limitations and challenges in applying theory to practice are explored, in the context of research with frontline staff who use such policies. This review proposes potential improvements to suicide prevention implementation to reduce suicide across the wider CJS.Originality/valueThis article represents an overview of the existing literature as well as possible future ideas for policy. It is therefore a piece that represents the viewpoint of all involved authors.

Accelerating Research on Suicide Risk and Prevention in Women Veterans Through Research-Operations Partnerships.

Suicide rates for women veterans are increasing faster than for nonveterans. The 2017 suicide rate for women veterans was more than double that for women nonveterans. However, research to inform improved suicide prevention for women veterans is scant. To accelerate research on women veterans' unique risks and resiliencies for suicide, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Women's Health Research Network launched a Women Veterans Suicide Prevention Research Work Group to target technical support for researchers, promote collaboration with national VA program offices, and ultimately increase dissemination and translation of research into clinical practice, public health strategies, and policies. The objective of this paper is to report on the process and outcomes of the Work Group's strategic planning efforts to identify and fill gaps in suicide prevention research among women veterans. An in-person meeting of 20 researchers and operational leaders was convened to summarize existing research evidence and identify research priorities and challenges. Research priorities included civilian reintegration, community connections, psychosocial stressors (eg, social determinants of health) and trauma, risk assessment, clinical interventions, upstream prevention, and health care access. The importance of increasing evidence on gender differences and for women veterans not using VA health care was emphasized. Research to inform suicide prevention tailored to meet women veterans' needs is essential; however, many priorities and challenges remain unaddressed. Although Work Group efforts have achieved funding gains, further work to formalize, promote and meet the demands of a suicide prevention research agenda for women veterans requires is ongoing focus.

Differences in childhood adversity, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt among veterans and nonveterans.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are robustly associated with physical and mental health problems over the life span. Relatively limited research has examined the breadth of ACEs among military veteran populations, for whom ACEs may be premilitary traumas associated with suicidal ideation and attempt. Using data from the Comparative Health Assessment Interview Research Study, a large national survey sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this investigation examined the prevalence of 22 self-reported potentially traumatic experiences before the age of 18 (i.e., ACEs) among veterans and nonveterans and estimated the association of ACEs with suicidal ideation and attempt at age 18 or older. All analyses were weighted to account for complex sampling design and stratified by gender. The study sample included 9,571 veteran men, 3,143 nonveteran men, 5,543 veteran women, and 1,364 nonveteran women. Veteran men reported greater average frequency of ACEs than nonveteran men (2.7 ACEs vs. 2.3 ACEs, respectively, p < .001); 11.1% of veteran men indicated >6 ACEs compared with 7.3% of nonveteran men (p < .001). Veteran women reported greater average frequency of ACEs than nonveteran women (3.1 ACEs vs. 2.4 ACEs, respectively, p < .001). Among women, more veterans than nonveterans reported >6 ACEs (14.9% vs. 8.6%, respectively, p < .001). The strongest correlate of suicide attempt at age 18 or older for veteran men was having >6 ACEs (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 4.20, 95%CI = 2.72-6.49); for veteran women, the strongest correlate was suicidal ideation or attempt before age 18 (aOR = 5.37, 95%CI = 4.11-7.03). Suicide prevention research, policy, and practice should address ACEs among veterans as salient premilitary risk factors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Considerations in the assessment of help-seeking and mental health service use in suicide prevention research.

The connection of individuals at elevated suicide risk to mental healthcare services represents a critical component of suicide prevention efforts. This article provides recommendations for enhancing the assessment of help-seeking and mental health service use within the context of suicide prevention research. We discuss evidence-based and theoretical rationale for improving current approaches to assessing help-seeking and mental health service use among at-risk individuals. Recommendations are offered within three domains: (a) consideration of the spectrum of connection to care, (b) assessment of the degree to which mental healthcare services seek to and effectively target suicidal symptoms, and (c) evaluation of the sources and types of treatment and care sought and received by at-risk individuals. To further our understanding of how to bolster connection to care and improve experiences with mental healthcare services among individuals at elevated suicide risk, it is imperative that stakeholders precisely capture the degree, efficacy/effectiveness, and nature of care sought and received by individuals. In so doing, research gaps might be better identified and, ultimately, mental healthcare services might be better leveraged as tools to prevent suicide and support individuals in creating lives they perceive to be worth living.

Using categorical data analyses in suicide research: Considering clinical utility and practicality.

Categorical data analysis is relevant to suicide risk and prevention research that focuses on discrete outcomes (e.g., suicide attempt status). Unfortunately, results from these analyses are often misinterpreted and not presented in a clinically tangible manner. We aimed to address these issues and highlight the relevance and utility of categorical methods in suicide research and clinical assessment. Additionally, we introduce relevant basic machine learning methods concepts and address the distinct utility of the current methods. We review relevant background concepts and pertinent issues with references to helpful resources. We also provide non-technical descriptions and tutorials of how to convey categorical statistical results (logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves, area under the curve [AUC] statistics, clinical cutoff scores) for clinical context and more intuitive use. We provide comprehensive examples, using simulated data, and interpret results. We also note important considerations for conducting and interpreting these analyses. We provide a walk-through demonstrating how to convert logistic regression estimates into predicted probability values, which is accompanied by Appendices demonstrating how to produce publication-ready figures in R and Microsoft Excel. Improving the translation of statistical estimates to practical, clinically tangible information may narrow the divide between research and clinical practice.

Suicide Prevention Across Countries and Continents: Lessons Learned

Suicide Prevention Across Countries and Continents: Lessons Learned

The Marine Suicide Prevention and Intervention REsearch (M-SPIRE) study: A randomized clinical trial investigating potential treatment mechanisms for reducing suicidal behaviors among military personnel

Suicides within the U.S. Armed Forces remain elevated. Brief cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (BCBT) has demonstrated preliminary efficacy as a psychotherapeutic intervention that reduces suicide attempts among U.S. Army Soldiers. The generalizability of BCBT's effects in other military groups and its underlying mechanisms of action remain unknown, however. The Marine Suicide Prevention and Intervention REsearch (M-SPIRE) study is designed to test the efficacy of BCBT for the prevention of suicide attempts among active duty U.S. Marines with recent suicidal ideation or attempts and to identify potential mechanisms of change contributing to BCBT's effects. In this protocol paper, we describe M-SPIRE's rationale and methods with a particular emphasis on measuring treatment fidelity and BCBT's hypothesized mechanisms of action.

Sustaining suicide prevention programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities and Tribal health centers.

Background:Research on sustaining community-based interventions is limited. This is particularly true for suicide prevention programs and in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) settings. Aiming to inform research in this area, this paper sought to identify factors and strategies that are key to sustain suicide prevention efforts in AIAN communities.Methods:We used a modified Nominal Group Technique with a purposeful sample of N = 35 suicide prevention research experts, program implementors and AIAN community leaders to develop a list of prioritized factors and sustainability strategies. We then compared this list with the Public Health Program Capacity for Sustainability Framework (PHPCSF) to examine the extent the factors identified aligned with the existing literature.Results:Major factors identified included cultural fit of intervention approaches, buy in from local communities, importance of leadership and policy making, and demonstrated program success. Strategies to promote these factors included partnership building, continuous growth of leadership, policy development, and ongoing strategic planning and advocacy. All domains of the PHPCF were representative, but additional factors and strategies were identified that emerged as important in AIAN settings.Conclusions:Sustaining effective and culturally informed suicide prevention efforts is of paramount importance to prevent suicide and save lives. Future research will focus on generating empirical evidence of these strategies and their effectiveness at promoting program sustainability in AIAN communities.

The National Institute of Mental Health: Research Agenda and Priorities in Geriatrics and Aging

The Geriatrics and Aging Processes Research Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) supports research on the etiology, pathophysiology, and trajectory of late life mental disorders. The branch encourages research using neuroscience, cognitive and affective science, and social and behavioral science to translate basic and preclinical research to clinical research. The branch prioritizes research that investigates neuropsychiatric disorders of aging, how they interact with neurodevelopment/neurodegeneration, and how to assess, treat, and prevent them. Of particular interest is research on social isolation and suicide. Suicide prevention research is an urgent priority: NIMH’s portfolio includes projects aimed at identifying those at risk for suicide, understanding causes of suicide risk, developing suicide prevention interventions, and testing the effectiveness of these interventions and services in real-world settings. In this talk, a NIMH program official will discuss the NIMH research agenda in the domain of late-life mental illness, social isolation, and suicide.