Editor's Note
Mental Health Information
July 2018 - Vol. 22 Issue 2
Published by athealth.com
Suicide rates are up dramatically in the United States. Celebrity deaths like Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade led to a sharp spike in hotline calls - up 25% according to the Wall Street Journal.
There is no question that awareness and access to resources is critical, but these spikes beg the question of whether or not our culture is glamorizing suicide as a short cut to notoriety.
I recently listened to a podcast by Dr. Peter Attia - he interviewed Tim Ferriss, a successful author and business investor. In the first 30 minutes of their discussion, Tim described a close call he had with his suicide plan, narrowly averted by a misdirected piece of mail. His perspective on how the culture of success he was steeped in cultivated self-loathing and caused him to view happiness as a handicap was insightful and more than a little terrifying. Warning: their discussion includes profanity, and research into the use of some illegal compounds for treatment of depression.
This month we've collected a series of articles on the topic of Suicide for you, including how cultural factors can contribute to suicidal thoughts and tendencies.
Additionally, you'll find information on the new mobile apps produced by SAMHSA for Android and iOS devices that cover patient interaction, case studies, and other resources.
We welcome your comments and feedback, if you'd like to get in touch just click here to send us a message.
Resources
- After Celebrity Deaths, Suicide Hotline Calls Jump 25%
As the world learned the news that renowned chef and food writer Anthony Bourdain had died by apparent suicide, the same phone number flooded the internet. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—1-800-273-8255—was pinned to the bottom of memorial Instagram posts, shared in tweets and ran alongside news obituaries.
WALL STREET JOURNAL (WSJ) - Suicide Deaths Climb Dramatically in U.S., Nearly Double for Women
Suicide rates in the United States have risen 30 percent over the past decade and a half, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (APA) - Trends in State Suicide Rates
Suicide rates increased significantly across most states during 1999–2016. Various circumstances contributed to suicides among persons with and without known mental health conditions.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) - Self-Harm and Suicide - Video
This video focuses on using motivational interviewing techniques to identify and address self-harm and suicide.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEDIATRICS - Risk Factors and Warning Signs
There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated.
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION - Suicide Risk Assessment
About 3% of adults, and a much higher percentage of youths, are entertaining thoughts of suicide at any given time; however, there is no certain way to predict who will go on to attempt suicide.
SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER - Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices
This technical package represents a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to help communities and states sharpen their focus on prevention activities with the greatest potential to prevent suicide. These strategies include: strengthening economic supports; strengthening access and delivery of suicide care; creating protective environments; promoting connectedness; teaching coping and problem-solving skills; identifying and supporting people at risk; and lessening harms and preventing future risk.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) - The Cultural Distinctions in Whether, When and How People Engage in Suicidal Behavior
A Korean-American man dies by suicide. Was it because he lost his job and felt intense shame over the loss of his breadwinner role in a patriarchal culture?
A Latina teenager attempts suicide. Was she upset because her immigrant parents restricted her movements and intruded on her decisions and relationships?
American Indians have the country’s highest rate of suicide. Is it related to generations of human rights abuses and trauma?
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (APA) - Psychological Approaches to Suicide Treatment and Prevention
In recent decades, the sub-specialization of “clinical suicidology” emphasizing suicide risk assessment, treatment, training, and the management of suicide-related liability has grown exponentially. This line of thinking had led to the development of suicide-specific treatments that target suicide as the focus of care. These treatments are being extensively investigated using randomized controlled clinical trials to prove their efficacy and effectiveness.
SPRINGER PUBLISHING - Department of Defense Releases Annual Report on Military Suicide
The 2016 DoDSER presents a comprehensive overview of the rates and risk factors associated with military suicide, as well as changes over time and comparisons to the U.S. general adult population. The report serves as an invaluable tool for researchers, policy makers, and Department of Defense leaders to inform suicide prevention plans, policies, and programs.
PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH CENTER OF EXCELLENCE - SAFE-T Pocket Card: Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage for Clinicians
This resource gives a brief overview on conducting a suicide assessment using a five-step evaluation and triage plan. (Suicide Safe, SAMHSA’s free suicide prevention app, is available for iOS® and Android™ mobile devices.)
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (SAMHSA)