Disorders - Suicide or self-harm behaviours
Jegannathan, B., Dahlblom, K., Kullgren, G.
Background: Most of the school-based interventions to prevent suicide are from high income countries and
there is a need for evidence based interventions in resource-poor settings. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of a school based
intervention to reduce risk factors for suicide among young people in Cambodia by promoting life skills. Method: Six classes were randomly selected
from two schools each, one designated as experimental and the other as control school, respectively. In experimental school 168 young people (M = 92,
F = 76) received 6 sessions of life skills education and in the control school 131 students (M = 53, F = 78) received three general sessions on
health. We looked at the pre-post differences on Life-Skills Development Scale Adolescent Form (LSDS-AF)- and Youth Self-Report (YSR) questionnaire
to measure the effect size (ES) from the intervention after 6 months. We analyzed the data by stratifying for gender and for those who reported more
severe suicidal expressions at baseline (high-risk group). Results: The girls showed improvement in Human Relationship (ES = 0.57), Health
Maintenance (ES = 0.20) and the Total Life Skills Dimensions (ES = 0.24), whereas boys with high-risk behavior improved on Human Relationship (ES =
0.48), Purpose in Life (ES = 0.26) and Total Life Skills Dimensions (ES = 0.22). Effect size for YSR-syndrome scores among all individuals showed no
improvement for either gender. Among high-risk individuals boys had a small to moderate effect size from intervention on Withdrawn/Depressed (ES =
0.40), Attention problems (ES = 0.46), Rule breaking behavior (ES = 0.36), Aggressive behavior (ES = 0.48) and Externalizing syndrome (ES = 0.64).
Conclusion: Promoting life skills in schools may enhance the overall mental health of young people, indirectly influencing suicide, particularly
among boys with high-risk behavior in Cambodia. (copyright) 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Asian Journal of
Psychiatry, 9 : 78-84
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Depressive Disorders, Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training
Perry,
Y., Petrie, K., Buckley, H., Cavanagh, L., Clarke, D., Winslade, M., Hadzi-Pavlovic, D., Manicavasagar, V., Christensen, H.
Evidence suggests that poor mental health literacy is a key barrier to help-seeking for mental health difficulties in adolescence.
Educational programs have shown positive effects on literacy, however, the evidence base remains limited and available studies have many
methodological limitations. Using cluster Randomised Control Trial (RCT) methodology, the current study examines the impact of 'HeadStrong', a
school-based educational intervention, on mental health literacy, stigma, help-seeking, psychological distress and suicidal ideation. A total of 380
students in 22 classes (clusters) from 10 non-governmentsecondary schools was randomised to receive either HeadStrong or Personal Development, Health
and Physical Education (PDHPE) classes. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Literacy improved and stigma
reduced in both groups at post-intervention and follow-up, relative to baseline. However, these effects were significantly greater in the HeadStrong
condition. The study demonstrates the potential of HeadStrong to improve mental health literacy and reduce stigma. (copyright) 2014 The Foundation
for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.
Journal of Adolescence, 37(7) : 1143-
1151
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation
Kerr, D. C. R., Degarmo, D. S., Leve, L. D., Chamberlain, P.
Objective:
Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) has been found to reduce delinquency among girls in juvenile justice through 2-year follow-up. Given
that such girls are at elevated risk for suicide and depression into adulthood, we tested MTFC effects on long-term trajectories of suicidal ideation
and depressive symptoms. Method: Girls (N = 166; mean [SD] age = 15.3 [1.2] years; 68% White) with a recent criminal referral who were mandated to
out-of-home care were enrolled in 2 sequential cohorts. Girls were randomized to receive MTFC (n = 81) or group care (GC) treatment as usual (TAU; n
= 85); the second MTFC cohort also received modules targeting substance use and risky sexual behavior. Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were
assessed repeatedly through early adulthood (mean [SD] follow-up = 8.8 [2.9] years). Suicide attempt history was assessed in early adulthood.
Results: Girls assigned to MTFC showed significantly greater decreases in depressive symptoms across the long-term follow-up than GC girls ((pi)=
.86, p <.05). Decreases in suicidal ideation rates were slightly stronger in MTFC than in GC as indicated by a marginal main effect (odds ratio [OR]
=.92, p <.10) and a significant interaction that favored MTFC in the second cohort relative to the first (OR =.88, p <.01). There were no significant
MTFC effects on suicide attempt. Conclusions: MTFC decreased depressive symptoms and suicidal thinking beyond the decreases attributable to time and
TAU. Thus, MTFC has further impact on girlsa' lives than originally anticipated. (copyright) 2014 APA.
Journal of Consulting & Clinical
Psychology, 82(4) : 684-693
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Depressive Disorders, Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Other service delivery and improvement
interventions
Mousavi, S. G., Zohreh, R., Maracy, M. R., Ebrahimi, A., Sharbafchi, M. R.
Background: prevention of suicide is one of priority world health. Suicide is one of the preventable causes of
death. The aim of this study is evaluation of telephone follow up on suicide reattempt.; Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical
trial is a prospective study which has been done in Noor Hospital of Isfahan-Iran, at 2010. 139 patients who have suicide attempt history divided in
one of two groups, randomly, 70 patients in\" treatment as usual (TAU)\" and 69 patients in \"brief interventional control (BIC). Seven telephone
contact with BIC group patients have been done \"during six months\" and two questionnaires have been filled in each session. The data has been
analyzed by descriptive and Chi-square test, under SPSS.; Results: No significant differences of suicide reattempt has been found between two groups
(P = 0.18), but significant reduction in frequency of suicidal thoughts (P = 0.007) and increase in hope at life (P = 0.001) was shown in
intervention group.; Conclusion: Telephones follow up in patients with suicide history decrease suicidal thought frequency\" and increase hope in
life, significantly.;
Advanced Biomedical Research, 3 : 198-
198
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions, Other service delivery and improvement
interventions
Mehlum, L., Tormoen, A. J., Ramberg, M., Haga, E., Diep, L. M., Laberg, S., Larsson, B. S., Stanley, B. H., Miller, A. L., Sund, A. M., Groholt, B.
Objective: We examined whether a shortened form of dialectical behavior therapy, dialectical behavior
therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) is more effective than enhanced usual care (EUC) to reduce self-harm in adolescents. Method: This was a randomized
study of 77 adolescents with recent and repetitive self-harm treated at community child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics who were
randomly allocated to either DBT-A or EUC. Assessments of self-harm, suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, and symptoms of borderline
personality disorder were made at baseline and after 9, 15, and 19 weeks (end of trial period), and frequency of hospitalizations and emergency
department visits over the trial period were recorded. Results: Treatment retention was generally good in both treatment conditions, and the use of
emergency services was low. DBT-A was superior to EUC in reducing self-harm, suicidal ideation, and depressive symptoms. Effect sizes were large for
treatment outcomes in patients who received DBT-A, whereas effect sizes were small for outcomes in patients receiving EUC. Total number of treatment
contacts was found to be a partial mediator of the association between treatment and changes in the severity of suicidal ideation, whereas no
mediation effects were found on the other outcomes or for total treatment time. Conclusion: DBT-A may be an effective intervention to reduce self-
harm, suicidal ideation, and depression in adolescents with repetitive self-harming behavior. Clinical trial registration information-Treatment for
Adolescents With Deliberate Self Harm; http://ClinicalTrials.gov/; NCT00675129. © 2014 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Journal of the American Academy of Child
& Adolescent Psychiatry, :
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Dialectical behavioural therapy
(DBT)
Britton, Willoughby. B., Lepp, Nathaniel. E., Niles, Halsey.
F., Rocha, Tomas., Fisher, Nathan. E., Gold, Jonathan. S.
The current study is a pilot trial to examine the effects of a nonelective, classroom-based, teacher-implemented,
mindfulness meditation intervention on standard clinical measures of mental health and affect in middle school children. A total of 101 healthy
sixth-grade students (55 boys, 46 girls) were randomized to either an Asian history course with daily mindfulness meditation practice (intervention
group) or an African history course with a matched experiential activity (active control group). Self-reported measures included the Youth Self
Report (YSR), a modified Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Measure -Revised. Both groups
decreased significantly on clinical syndrome subscales and affect but did not differ in the extent of their improvements. Meditators were
significantly less likely to develop suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm than controls. These results suggest that mindfulness training may
yield both unique and non-specific benefits that are shared by other novel activities.; Copyright © 2014 Society for the Study of School Psychology.
Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Journal of School
Psychology, 52(3) : 263-278
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy
Christensen, Helen., Batterham, Philip. J., O'Dea, Bridianne.
Many people at risk of
suicide do not seek help before an attempt, and do not remain connected to health services following an attempt. E-health interventions are now being
considered as a means to identify at-risk individuals, offer self-help through web interventions or to deliver proactive interventions in response to
individuals' posts on social media. In this article, we examine research studies which focus on these three aspects of suicide and the internet: the
use of online screening for suicide, the effectiveness of e-health interventions aimed to manage suicidal thoughts, and newer studies which aim to
proactively intervene when individuals at risk of suicide are identified by their social media postings. We conclude that online screening may have a
role, although there is a need for additional robust controlled research to establish whether suicide screening can effectively reduce suicide-
related outcomes, and in what settings online screening might be most effective. The effectiveness of Internet interventions may be increased if
these interventions are designed to specifically target suicidal thoughts, rather than associated conditions such as depression. The evidence for the
use of intervention practices using social media is possible, although validity, feasibility and implementation remains highly uncertain.;
International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 11(8) : 8193-
8212
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Esposito-Smythers, C., Hadley, W., Brown, L. K., McKnight, P., Short, J., Weismoore, J., Miller, A. B., Schaefer, K., Martinson, L., Perloe, A.
Alcohol abuse, suicidal behavior, and HIV
infection constitute three significant public health problems. Adolescents in mental health treatment are at heightened risk for the development of
all three of these often inter-related problems. Yet, prevention programs that target all three of these areas have not been tested. The primary
purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a familybased cognitive behavioral protocol designed to prevent alcohol dependence, suicidal
behavior, and HIV risk behaviors among teens receiving communitymental health services in a randomized Stage I clinical trial. This protocol targets
knowledge and coping skills deficits, inaccurate cognitions, communication problems, and maladaptive parenting behaviors found to be associated with
the onset and progression of youth alcohol abuse, suicidality, and HIV risk behaviors.Eight-one adolescents (ages 12-18) receiving communitymental
health treatment and their parents were randomly assigned to the prevention protocol (n=41) or an assessment-only control condition (n=40) as an
adjunct to outpatient care. The prevention protocol included attendance at two workshops and an individualized booster session held one month later.
Outcome was assessed at post-intervention, 6 month, and 12 month follow-ups. Results revealed greater increases in knowledge (HIV related), change in
relevant cognition (e.g., perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy), comfort discussing sexual risk and alcohol/drug related issues, and some parental
monitoring behaviors among youth who received the prevention protocol relative to controls (small to large effects sizes). They also reported greater
reductions in binge drinking and increased condomuse with casual partners relative to youth in the control condition (small to large effect sizes).
Differences in drinking days and condom use with serious partners were not found. There was also some evidence to suggest that the prevention program
was associated with greater reductions in recent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts (small to large effect sizes) though results varied by
assessment measure. Overall, results provide preliminary evidence to suggest that augmenting standard mental health treatment with a comprehensive
family based prevention programthat targets multiple high risk behaviors may hold promise in offsetting the developmental trajectory alcohol abuse
and othermaladaptive outcomes. Further testing of this type of protocol is warranted.
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental
Research, 38 : 307A
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Harlow, A. F., Bohanna, I., Clough, A.
RESULTS: The search yielded 229 articles; 90 abstracts were assessed, and 11 articles describing nine programs were reviewed. Two
Australian programs and seven American programs were included. Programs were culturally tailored, flexible, and incorporated multiple-levels of
prevention. No randomized controlled trials were found, and many programs employed ad hoc evaluations, poor program description, and no process
evaluation. CONCLUSION: Despite culturally appropriate content, the results of the review indicate that more controlled study designs using planned
evaluations and valid outcome measures are needed in research on indigenous youth suicide prevention. Such changes may positively influence the
future of research on indigenous youth suicide prevention as the outcomes and efficacy will be more reliable. BACKGROUND: Indigenous young people
have significantly higher suicide rates than their non-indigenous counterparts. There is a need for culturally appropriate and effective suicide
prevention programs for this demographic. AIMS: This review assesses suicide prevention programs that have been evaluated for indigenous youth in
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. METHOD: The databases MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for publications on suicide
prevention programs targeting indigenous youth that include reports on evaluations and outcomes. Program content, indigenous involvement, evaluation
design, program implementation, and outcomes were assessed for each article.
Crisis, 35(5) : 310-
321
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any)
Strunk, C. M., King, K.
A., Vidourek, R. A., Sorter, M. T.
Youth
suicide is a serious public health issue in the United States. It is currently the third leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 19. School-based
prevention programs may be an effective method of educating youth and enhancing their help-seeking. Most school-based suicide prevention programs
have not been rigorously evaluated for their effectiveness. This evaluation employs a comparison group to measure whether program group participants
differed significantly from comparison group participants on pretest-posttest measures while assessing the immediate impact of the Surviving the
Teens® Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program. Findings indicate several positive outcomes in program group students' suicide and
depression knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and behavioral intentions compared with the comparison group. Suicide prevention specialists and
prevention planners may benefit from study findings.
Health Education & Behavior, 41(6) : 605-613
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions
Reyes-Portillo, J. A., Mufson, L., Greenhill, L. L., Gould, M. S., Fisher, P. W., Tarlow, N., Rynn, M. A.
Results Of the 14,001 citations initially identified, 25 articles met inclusion criteria for Web-
based interventions. These described 9 programs, of which 8 were Internet based and 1 was a mobile application. No Web-based interventions for
suicide prevention were identified. Of the randomized controlled trials (n = 14) and open trials (n = 3) identified, 10 reported significant
postintervention reductions in symptoms of depression and/or anxiety or improvements in diagnostic ratings, with small to large effect sizes. Many of
these studies also reported significant improvements at follow-up. The methodological quality of the studies varied. Many programs were limited by
their small sample sizes and use of waitlist or no-treatment control groups.\rConclusion There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of Web-based
interventions for youth depression and anxiety. Additional research and program development are needed to fill the current gaps in the literature.
\rObjective To review published reports on Web-based treatment and prevention programs for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention in children,
adolescents, and emerging adults.\rMethod A systematic search of the PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science databases was conducted in
December 2013. Programs were classified according to evidence-base level (Well-Established, Probably Efficacious, Possibly Efficacious, Experimental,
and Of Questionable Efficacy).
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent
Psychiatry, 53(12) : 1254-1270.e5
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders, Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Taylor-Rodgers, E., Batterham, P. J.
Background Research has
consistently identified a disparity between the prevalence of mental health concerns among young adults and their rates of formal help seeking.
However, a few randomised controlled trials have identified effective interventions for increasing formal help seeking among young adults. The aim of
this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief online psychoeducational intervention, targeting depression, anxiety and suicide stigma, for
increasing positive attitudes towards help seeking and increasing help seeking intentions among young adults. Method The study followed a single-
blind parallel group randomized controlled trial design with 67 young adult (18-25 years) Australian participants, assigned to receive online
psychoeducation (n=33) or online attention-matched control information (n=34) over 3 weeks. Participants in the experimental group received
information on depression, anxiety, and suicide. The control group received information unrelated to mental health. Primary outcome measures were
mental health literacy, mental illness stigma, attitudes toward professional help seeking and intentions to seek help. Secondary outcome variables
were symptomology, satisfaction and adherence. Results Significant between-group differences were found for the pre- to post-test, including
increased anxiety literacy (Cohens d=0.65), decreased depression stigma (d=0.53), and increased help seeking attitudes and intentions for the
experimental group (d=0.58 and d=0.53, respectively). Limitations Due to the small sample size and homogenous nature of the sample, generalisations
should be made with caution. Conclusions This study demonstrates the utility and effectiveness of a brief online psychoeducation intervention for
promoting help seeking among young adults. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Journal of Affective Disorders, 168 : 65-
71
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Suicide or self-harm behaviours (excluding non-suicidal self-harm)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)