suicide

Suicide is the act of intentionally ending your life.

There are three levels of intervention in suicide; 1) universal 2) selective and 3) indicated.

Universal interventions target everyone in a defined population. They aim to increase awareness about suicide, remove barriers to care, promote help-seeking and encourage protective factors. Some examples of universal interventions include school-based interventions and national initiatives such as restricted access to lethal means. Evidence suggests that universal interventions are effective at increasing awareness and helping skills, though there is little evidence to suggest they’re effective at reducing suicide-related thoughts or behaviours.

Selective interventions address specific groups at increased risk for suicidal behaviours, for instance those with mental health problems or harmful use of substances. To date, there have been few studies into selective interventions and results are mixed.

Indicated interventions target high-risk individuals already displaying signs of suicidal behaviour. Examples include brief contact interventions (e.g. crisis cards) and talking therapies. Evidence suggests that brief contact interventions are effective for young people in clinical settings. A network meta-analysis conducted in 2021 found that the most effective talking therapies for suicide and self-harm in young people are dialectical behavioural therapies and mentalisation-based therapies.

 

Our suicide Blogs

Online support for people with suicidal thoughts: what do users think?

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Laura Caven reviews a recent qualitative study that looks at what people think of the online support that is available from charities and other organisations for people with suicidal thoughts.

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Talking about self-harm and suicide in primary care: the views of young people

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In her debut blog, Jo Lockwood summarises a qualitative paper which finds that young people want GPs to initiate conversations about self-harm and suicide in primary care.

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Suicide in children and young people can happen without warning

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Shirley Reynolds reviews a records study which finds that around one third of children and young people who die by suicide have no explicit prior risk.

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Eating disorder symptoms and suicidality: is there a significant association within the student population?

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In his debut blog, Jack Wainwright explores a study that finds an association between eating disorders and suicidality in US college students.

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Do prisons have more room for emotions than we think? Staff views on the link between suicide, violence and emotions

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Eleana Frisira reviews a recent qualitative study, which asks prison staff for their views about the role of emotions in prisoner suicide and violence.

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Assessing digital risk: a mixed-methods study assessing psychiatry trainee’s experiences, views and understanding

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Georgie Parker reviews a mixed-methods study exploring psychiatry trainees understanding, experience of and competence assessing and managing digital risk.

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Suicide awareness materials: do they help people with suicidal ideation?

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Hanzla Amir and Derek Tracy summarise a recent online randomised controlled trial on the effects of suicide awareness materials on people who feel suicidal, which finds that the Papageno effect is real and that stories of hope and recovery can help.

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Suicide risk assessment tools: what’s the current state of the evidence?

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Gabrielle Beaudry reviews a new national mixed methods study from the UK on suicide risk assessment tools used in mental health services.

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Increased suicide risk where race/ethnicity and sexual orientation intersect

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In his debut blog, Brendan Dunlop summarises a study finding a relationship between minority sexual orientation, ethnicity and suicide risk in adolescents.

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Therapeutic alliance important to help people at risk of suicide

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Charlotte Huggett summarises a naturalistic outpatient study which explores the impact that therapeutic alliance and negative responses from clinicians can have on suicidal ideation in people in therapy.

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