Emergency department presentations for self-harm among Ontario youth

Non-suicidal self-injury at a Canadian paediatric emergency department

OBJECTIVE

Our primary objective was to determine agreement between non-suicidal self-injury recorded at triage and during subsequent mental health assessment. The secondary objective was to describe patients who reported non-suicidal self-injury.

METHODS

This is a health records review of patients aged 12-18 years who had an Emergency Mental Health Triage form on their health record from an ED visit June 1, 2017-May 31, 2018. We excluded patients with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. We abstracted data from the Mental Health Triage form, Emergency Mental Health and Addictions Service Assessment forms and Assessment of Suicide and Risk Inventory. We calculated Cohen's Kappa coefficient, sensitivity, and negative predictive value to describe the extent to which the forms agreed and the performance of triage for identifying non-suicidal self-injury. We compared the cohort who reported non-suicidal self-injury with those who did not, using t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests.

RESULTS

We screened 955 ED visits and included 914 ED visits where 558 (58.4%) reported a history of non-suicidal self-injury. There were significantly more females in the group reporting non-suicidal self-injury (82.1%, n = 458) compared to the group not reporting non-suicidal self-injury (45.8%, n = 163). Patients reporting non-suicidal self-injury did so in triage and detailed Mental Health Assessment 64.7% of the time (Cohen's Kappa Coefficient 0.6); triage had sensitivity of 71.5% (95% CI 67.3-75.4) and negative predictive value of 71.2% (95% CI 68.2-74.0). Cutting was the most common method of non-suicidal self-injury (80.3%).

CONCLUSION

Screening at triage was moderately effective in identifying non-suicidal self-injury compared to a detailed assessment by a specialised mental health team. More than half of children and adolescents with a mental health-related concern in our ED reported a history of non-suicidal self-injury, most of which were female. This symptom is important for delineating patients' coping strategies.

Emergency department visits and hospital admissions for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm among adolescents in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic had profound effects on the mental wellbeing of adolescents. We sought to evaluate pandemic-related changes in health care use for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm.

METHODS

We obtained data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information on emergency department visits and hospital admissions from April 2015 to March 2022 among adolescents aged 10-18 years in Canada. We calculated the quarterly percentage of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for a composite outcome comprising suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm relative to all-cause emergency department visits and hospital admissions. We used interrupted time-series methods to compare changes in levels and trends of these outcomes between the prepandemic (Apr. 1, 2015-Mar. 1, 2020) and pandemic (Apr. 1, 2020-Mar. 31, 2022) periods.

RESULTS

The average quarterly percentage of emergency department visits for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm relative to all-cause emergency department visits was 2.30% during the prepandemic period and 3.52% during the pandemic period. The level (0.08%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.79% to 0.95%) or trend (0.07% per quarter, 95% CI -0.14% to 0.28%) of this percentage did not change significantly between periods. The average quarterly percentage of hospital admissions for the composite outcome relative to all-cause admissions was 7.18% during the prepandemic period and 8.96% during the pandemic period. This percentage showed no significant change in level (-0.70%, 95% CI -1.90% to 0.50%), but did show a significantly increasing trend (0.36% per quarter; 95% 0.07% to 0.65%) during the pandemic versus prepandemic periods, specifically among females aged 10-14 years (0.76% per quarter, 95% CI 0.22% to 1.30%) and females aged 15-18 years (0.56% per quarter, 95% CI 0.31% to 0.81%).

INTERPRETATION

The quarterly change in the percentage of hospital admissions for suicidal ideation, self-poisoning and self-harm increased among adolescent females in Canada during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the need to promote public health policies that mitigate the impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health.

Self-harm among youth during the first 28 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Youth have reported worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to evaluate rates of pediatric acute care visits for self-harm during the pandemic according to age, sex and mental health service use.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study using linked health administrative data sets to measure monthly rates of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for self-harm among youth aged 10-17 years between Jan. 1, 2017, and June 30, 2022, in Ontario, Canada. We modelled expected rates of acute care visits for self-harm after the pandemic onset based on prepandemic rates. We reported relative differences between observed and expected monthly rates overall and by age group (10-13 yr and 14-17 yr), sex and mental health service use (new and continuing).

RESULTS

In this population of about 1.3 million children and adolescents, rates of acute care visits for self-harm during the pandemic were higher than expected for emergency department visits (0.27/1000 population v. 0.21/1000 population; adjusted rate ratio [RR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.39) and hospital admissions (0.74/10 000 population v. 0.43/10 000 population, adjusted RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.46-2.03). This increase was primarily observed among females. Rates of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for self-harm were higher than expected for both those aged 10-13 years and those aged 14-17 years, as well as for both those new to the mental health system and those already engaged in care.

INTERPRETATION

Rates of acute care visits for self-harm among children and adolescents were higher than expected during the first 2 and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among females. These findings support the need for accessible and intensive prevention efforts and mental health supports in this population.

Self-harm and rurality in Canada: an analysis of hospitalization data from 2015 to 2019

PURPOSE

The incidence of self-harm is an important indicator in suicide surveillance and a target outcome for suicide prevention. Self-harm rates vary by geographic location and rurality appears to be a risk factor. The objectives of this study were to estimate rates of self-harm hospitalization in Canada over a 5-year period by sex and age group, and examine relationships between self-harm and rurality.

METHODS

Hospitalizations related to self-harm were identified in a national dataset (the Discharge Abstract Database) for all patients aged 10 years or older who were discharged from hospital between 2015 and 2019. Self-harm hospitalization rates were calculated and stratified by year, sex, age group, and level of rurality, as measured using the Index of Remoteness. A Poisson regression was fit to estimate rate ratios for the levels of rurality.

RESULTS

Rates of self-harm hospitalization were higher for females than males across all levels of rurality and increased with each level for both sexes, except for among young males. The widest rural-to-urban disparities were observed for the 10-19 and 20-34-year old age groups. Females aged 10-19 in very remote areas had the highest self-harm hospitalization rate.

CONCLUSION

The rate of self-harm hospitalization in Canada varied by sex, age group, and level of rurality. Clinical and community-based interventions for self-harm, such as safety planning and increased access to mental health services, should be tailored to the differential risks across geographic contexts.

Self-harm emergency department visits in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a sentinel surveillance system

BACKGROUND

Self-harm is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, though the prevalence tends to be highest among adolescents. As an indicator in suicide surveillance, the incidence of self-harm is useful because it is sensitive to social, environmental, and economic conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology of self-harm has varied across contexts. This study aims to investigate the changes in self-harm emergency department visits in 2020 compared to a pre-pandemic period in 2018-2019.

METHODS

Self-harm emergency department visits were extracted from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program database from 2018 to 2020. We compared the data in 2020 with the pre-pandemic baseline in 2018-2019. We examined the changes in volume, the percentages of self-harm cases among all intentional injuries by sex, age group, and the proportions of self-harm cases by method of injury. We also quantified the time trends of the percentages of self-harm cases among all intentional injuries using Joinpoint regression.

RESULTS

The overall volume of emergency visits related to self-harm was higher in 2020 during weeks 24-51 compared to the average volumes for the same weeks of 2018-2019. Percentage of self-harm among all intentional injury emergency department visits was significantly higher by 6.1% among females (p < 0.05) and by 5.3% among males in 2020 than in 2018-2019 (p < 0.05). The 11-to-18-year age group showed an increase in the percentage of self-harm among all intentional injury emergency department visits by 7.4% in 2020 when compared to 2018-2019. Time trend analyses showed that the percentages of self-harm among all intentional injury emergency department visits were higher during weeks 4-52 in 2020 than in 2018-2019, for both males and females.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of emergency department visits related to self-harm among all intentional injury visits were higher during 2020 than in 2018-2019. These results underscore the importance of continued surveillance of self-harm in Canada to better understand the sociodemographic factors affecting self-harm and to inform the prevention strategies and policies.

Rurality as a Risk Factor for Attempted Suicide and Death by Suicide in Ontario, Canada

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine rural and urban differences in attempted suicide and death by suicide in Ontario, Canada.

METHOD

This is a population-based nested case-control study. Data were obtained from administrative databases held at ICES, which capture all hospital and emergency department visits across Ontario between 2007 and 2017. All adults living in Ontario who attempted suicide or died by suicide are included in the study, and controls were matched by sex and age. Suicides were captured using vital statistics. Suicide attempts were determined using emergency department service codes.

RESULTS

Rurality is a risk factor for attempted suicide and death by suicide. Rural males are more likely to die by suicide compared with urban males (adjusted odds ratio(AOR) = 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.49 to 1.95), and the odds of death by suicide increase with increasing levels of rurality. Rural males and females have an increased risk of attempted suicide compared with their urban counterparts (males: AOR = 1.37, 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.50) (females: AOR = 1.26, 95% CI,  1.14 to 1.39), with a pattern of increasing risk of suicide attempts with increasing rurality. Rural females are not at increased risk of suicide compared with urban females (AOR = 1.08, 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.45). Sensitivity analyses corroborated the results.

CONCLUSIONS

Rural males are almost two times more likely to die by suicide compared with urban males, and both rural males and females have an elevated risk of suicide attempts compared with urban residents. Future research should examine potential mediators of the relationship between rurality and suicide.

Near-Fatal Self-Harm Among Canadian Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical features of Canadian adolescents admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for medically serious self-harm.

METHODS

2700 Canadian paediatricians were surveyed monthly over two years (January 2017 to December 2018) through the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program to ascertain data from eligible cases.

RESULTS

Ninety-three cases (73 female; age 15.2 ± 1.5) met the case definition. Four provinces reported the majority of cases: Quebec (n = 27), Ontario (n = 26), Alberta (n = 21), and British Columbia (n = 8). There were 10 deaths, 9 by hanging. Overdose and hanging were the most frequently reported methods of self-harm (74.2% and 19.4%, respectively). Overdose was more common in females (80.8% females vs. 50% males; χ² = 7.8 (1), p = .005), whereas hanging was more common in males (35% males vs. 15.1% females, χ² = 3.9 (1), p = .04). More females than males had a past psychiatric diagnosis (79% vs. 58%; χ² = 4.1 (1), p = .06), a previous suicide attempt (55.9% vs. 29.4%, χ² = 3.8 (1), p = .05), and prior use of mental health service (69.7% vs. 27.8%, χ² = 10.4 (1), p = .001). Family conflict was the most commonly identified precipitating factor (43%) of self-harm.

CONCLUSIONS

Among Canadian adolescents admitted to the ICU with medically serious self-harm, females demonstrate a higher rate of suicide attempts and prior mental health care engagement, whereas males are more likely to die by suicide. These findings are consistent with data from other adolescent samples, as well as data from working-age and older adults. Therefore, a sex-specific approach to suicide prevention is warranted as part of a national suicide prevention strategy; family conflict may be a specific target for suicide prevention interventions among adolescents.

Sentinel surveillance of substance-related self-harm in Canadian emergency departments, 2011 - 19

Introduction

Self-harm is a public health concern that can result in serious injury or death. This study provides an overview of emergency department (ED) visits for patients presenting with substance-related self-harm.

Methods

Cases of self-harm in the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP) database were extracted (April 2011 to September 2019; N = 15,682), using various search strategies to identify substance-related self-harm cases for patients 10 years and older. Cases involving alcohol, cannabis, illicit drugs, or medications (or any combinations of these) were included. Additional variables, including age and sex, location and the severity of injury (hospital admission) were examined. Proportionate injury ratios (PIR) were used to compare emergency department outcomes of self-harm and unintentional injuries involving substance use. Time trends were quantified using Joinpoint regression. For cases requiring hospital admission, text fields were analyzed for contextual factors.

Results

A total of 9470 substance-related self-harm cases were reported (28.1% of all intentional injury cases), representing 820.0 records per 100,000 eCHIRPP records. While age patterns for both sexes were similar, the number of cases for females was significantly higher among 15-19 year olds. Over half (55%) of cases that identified substance type involved medications, followed by multi-type substance use (19.8%). In the ED, there were proportionally more treatments, observations, and admissions presenting with substance-related self-harm compared to substance-related unintentional injury cases. Among those aged 20+ years, a statistically significant increasing trend of 15.9% per year was observed, while among those aged 10-19 years a significant annual percent change of 16.9% was noted (2011 to 2019). Text field analysis demonstrated suicide attempt or ideation was a reoccurring theme among all age groups. Poor mental health status or conflict with family or an intimate partner were reported stressors, depending on age group. Additional self-harming injuries, such as cutting, were reported among all age groups.

Conclusion

Our study found that hospital admission for substance-related self-harm was highest for patients aged 15-19 years, especially females, and that they were more likely to use medications. The statistically significant increasing trend of cases found between 2011 and 2019 is notable. Patients showed multiple types of adversities, demonstrating the complexity of this issue.

Risk factors for self-harm and suicidal ideation and behaviour in adolescents and young adults: a protocol for an umbrella review of systematic reviews

Background:There are many primary studies on the risk and protective factors for self-harm and suicidal ideation and/or behaviour in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) age group.  Moreover, there have been many systematic reviews on these primary studies. Some of these focus on a specific population, a geographic area, a specific risk factor or a socioeconomic group, whereas others are more general in their approach.  An umbrella review of these systematic reviews is an appropriate design to synthesise the available research regarding the main risks and protective factors for self-harm and suicidal ideation and/or behaviour in AYAs and to establish the relative strength of the associations of these risk and protective factors.    Methods and analysis: The PRISMA-P checklist was used for this protocol. The databases to be used for this umbrella review will be Ovid Medline, Embase, APA PsycInfo, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, and Scopus.  Systematic reviews included will date as far back as the year 2010 and up to the present so as to ensure that the evidence is contemporary and up-to-date.  Two authors, including the first author, will independently screen the results for inclusion.  The AMSTAR 2 checklist will be used for the quality assessment process and the overall strength of the body of evidence will be assessed using the GRADE tool.     Prospero registration number: CRD42021282277

Development of a Self-Harm Monitoring System for Victoria

The prevention of suicide and suicide-related behaviour are key policy priorities in Australia and internationally. The World Health Organization has recommended that member states develop self-harm surveillance systems as part of their suicide prevention efforts. This is also a priority under Australia’s Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. The aim of this paper is to describe the development of a state-based self-harm monitoring system in Victoria, Australia. In this system, data on all self-harm presentations are collected from eight hospital emergency departments in Victoria. A natural language processing classifier that uses machine learning to identify episodes of self-harm is currently being developed. This uses the free-text triage case notes, together with certain structured data fields, contained within the metadata of the incoming records. Post-processing is undertaken to identify primary mechanism of injury, substances consumed (including alcohol, illicit drugs and pharmaceutical preparations) and presence of psychiatric disorders. This system will ultimately leverage routinely collected data in combination with advanced artificial intelligence methods to support robust community-wide monitoring of self-harm. Once fully operational, this system will provide accurate and timely information on all presentations to participating emergency departments for self-harm, thereby providing a useful indicator for Australia’s suicide prevention efforts.

Rurality and Risk of Suicide Attempts and Death by Suicide among People Living in Four English-speaking High-income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Previous research indicates a potential relationship between rurality and suicide, indicating that those living in rural areas may be at increased risk of suicide. This relationship has not been reviewed systematically. This study aims to determine whether those living in rural areas are more likely to complete or attempt suicide.

METHOD

This systematic review and meta-analysis included observational studies based on people living in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Data sources included PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar from January 2006 to December 2017. Studies must have compared rural and urban suicide or suicide attempts. Nonprimary research articles were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 6,259 studies were identified and 53 were included. Results indicate that males living in rural areas are more likely to complete suicide than their urban counterparts (RR = 1.41, 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.64, I² = 96%). Females in rural areas are not significantly more likely to complete suicide (RR = 1.16, 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.37, I² = 79%). Among studies that only reported combined estimates, rural individuals are more likely to complete suicide (RR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.33, I² = 98%). There is no association found between rurality and suicide attempts (RR = 0.93, 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.19, I² = 85%).

CONCLUSIONS

Those living in rural areas are more likely to complete suicide, with some studies indicating that only rural males are more likely to complete suicide; these findings are relatively consistent across all four countries. Public health initiatives should aim to overcome geographic variation in completed suicide, with a particular focus on rural males.

Acute mental health service use is increased in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: a population-based cohort study

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are associated with mental illness. Whether acute mental health (MH) service utilization (i.e. emergency visits or hospitalizations) is increased in RA or AS is not known.

Methods

Two population-based cohorts were created where individuals with RA (n = 53,240) or AS (n = 13,964) were each matched by age, sex, and year to unaffected comparators (2002-2016). Incidence rates per 1000 person-years (PY) were calculated for a first MH emergency department (ED) presentation or MH hospitalization. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and health service use variables.

Results

Individuals with RA had higher rates of ED visits [6.59/1000 person-years (PY) versus 4.39/1000 PY in comparators] and hospitalizations for MH (3.11/1000 PY versus 1.80/1000 PY in comparators). Higher rates of ED visits (7.92/1000 PY versus 5.62/1000 PY in comparators) and hospitalizations (3.03/1000 PY versus 1.94/1000 PY in comparators) were also observed in AS. Overall, RA was associated with a 34% increased risk for MH hospitalization (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22-1.47) and AS was associated with a 36% increased risk of hospitalization (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.12-1.63). The risk of ED presentation was attenuated, but remained significant, after adjustment in both RA (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15) and AS (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.28).

Conclusions

RA and AS are both independently associated with a higher rate and risk of acute ED presentations and hospitalizations for mental health conditions. These findings underscore the need for routine evaluation of MH as part of the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis. Additional research is needed to identify the underlying individual characteristics, as well as system-level variation, which may explain these differences, and to help plan interventions to make MH service use more responsive to the needs of individuals living with RA and AS.

Rural youth in distress? Youth self-harm presentations to a rural hospital over 10 years

Introduction Despite growing awareness of increasing rates of youth suicide and self-harm in New Zealand, there is still little known about self-harm among rural youth. Aim This study compared: (1) rates of youth self-harm presentations between a rural emergency department (ED) and nationally available rates; and (2) local and national youth suicide rates over the decade from January 2008 to December 2017. Methods Data were requested on all presentations to Ashburton Hospital ED coded for 'self-harm' for patients aged 15-24 years. Comparative data were obtained from the coroner, Ministry of Health and the 2013 census. Analyses were conducted of the effects of age, time, repetition, method, ethnicity and contact with mental health services on corresponding suicide rates. Results Self-harm rates in Ashburton rose in the post-earthquake period (2013-17). During the peri-earthquake period (2008-12), non-Māori rates of self-harm were higher than for Māori (527 vs 116 per 100000 youth respectively), reflecting the national trend. In the post-earthquake period, although non-Māori rates of self-harm stayed stable (595 per 100000), there was a significant increase in Māori rates of self-harm to 1106 per 100000 (Chi-squared = 14.0, P < 0.001). Youth living within the Ashburton township showed higher rates than youth living more rurally. Discussion Youth self-harm behaviours, especially self-poisoning, have increased since the Canterbury earthquakes in the Ashburton rural community. Of most concern was the almost ninefold increase in Māori self-harm presentations in recent years, along with the increasing prevalence among teenagers and females. Possible explanations and further exploratory investigation strategies are discussed.

The risk of deliberate self-harm following a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis: A population-based cohort study

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are associated with mental illness. The risk of serious mental illness, including deliberate self-harm (DSH), in these conditions is not well known. We aimed to determine if RA or AS independently increases the risk for DSH.

Methods

We conducted retrospective, population-based cohort studies using administrative health data for the province of Ontario, Canada between April 1, 2002 and March 31, 2014. Individuals with incident RA (N = 53,240) or AS (N = 13,964) were separately matched 1:4 by age, sex, and year with comparators without RA or AS. The outcome was a first DSH attempt identified using emergency department data. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for risk of DSH in RA and AS versus comparators, adjusting for demographic, clinical and health service utilization variables.

Results

Subjects with AS were significantly more likely to self-harm (crude incidence rate [IR] of 0.68/1,000 person years [PY] versus 0.32/1,000 PY in comparators), with an adjusted HR of 1.59 (95% CI 1.15 to 2.21). DSH was increased for RA subjects (IR 0.35/1,000 PY) versus comparators (IR 0.24/1,000 PY) only before (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.74), but not after covariate adjustment (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.33).

Conclusions

AS carries an increased risk for DSH but no such risk was observed in RA. Further evaluation of at-risk AS subjects is needed, including the longitudinal effects of disease and arthritis therapies on self-harm behaviour. This will inform whether specific risk-reduction strategies for DSH in inflammatory arthritis are needed.

Changing Rates of Self-Harm and Mental Disorders by Sex in Youths Presenting to Ontario Emergency Departments: Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

To document the rates of intentional self-harm and mental disorders among youths aged 13 to 17 years visiting Ontario emergency departments (EDs) from 2003-2017.

METHODS

This was a repeated cross-sectional observational design. Outcomes were rates of adolescents with (1) at least 1 self-harm ED visit and (2) a visit with a mental disorder code.

RESULTS

Rates of youths with self-harm visits fell 32% from 2.6/1000 in 2003 to 1.8 in 2009 but rose 135% to 4.2 by 2017. The slope of the trend in self-harm visits changed from -0.18 youths/1000/year (confidence interval [CI], -0.24 to -0.13) during 2003 to 2009 to 0.31 youths/1000/year (CI, 0.27 to 0.35) during 2009 to 2017 (P < 0.001). Rates of youths with mental health visits rose from 11.7/1000 in 2003 to 13.5 in 2009 (15%) and to 24.1 (78%) by 2017. The slope of mental health visits changed from 0.22 youths/1000/year (CI, 0.02 to 0.42) during 2003 to 2009 to 1.84 youths/1000/year (CI, 1.38 to 2.30) in 2009 to 2017 (P < 0.001). Females were more likely to have self-harm (P < 0.001) and mental health visits (P < 0.001). Rates of increase after 2009 were greater for females for both self-harm (P < 0.001) and mental health (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of adolescents with self-harm and mental health ED visits have increased since 2009, with greater increases among females. Research is required on the determinants of adolescents' self-harm and mental health ED visits and how they can be addressed in that setting. Sufficient treatment resources must be supplied to address increased demands for services.

Assessment tools of immediate risk of self-harm and suicide in children and young people: A scoping review

There are increasing numbers of children presenting to paediatric hospital settings in mental health crisis. Typically, non-mental health professionals are responsible for the initial assessment of these children and are required to identify immediate physical and emotional health needs. To ensure the safety of these children, immediate risk of suicide and self-harm should be assessed. However, no standardized assessment tool is used in clinical practice, and for those tools that are used, their validity and reliability is unclear. A scoping review was conducted to identify the existing assessment tools of immediate self-harm and suicide risk. Searches of electronic databases and relevant reference lists were undertaken. Twenty-two tools were identified and most assessed acute risk of suicide with only four tools incorporating a self-harm assessment. The tools varied in number of items (4-146), subscales (0-11) and total scores (16-192). Half incorporated Likert-type scales, and most were completed via self-report. Many tools were subject to limited psychometric testing, and no single tool was valid or reliable for use with children presenting in mental health crisis to non-mental health settings. As such, a clinically appropriate, valid and reliable tool that assesses immediate risk of self-harm and suicide in paediatric settings should be developed.

The Cumulative Incidence of Self-Reported Suicide-Related Thoughts and Attempts in Young Canadians

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cumulative incidence of self-reported suicide-related thoughts (SRTs) and suicide attempts (SAs) in males and females from 11 to 25 years of age in Canada.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted by linking cycles 2 to 8 from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, a representative survey of Canadians aged 11 to 25 years conducted from 1996 to 2009. The 11- to 25-year cumulative incidence of self-reported SRTs and SAs (with suicidal intent) was estimated in males and females using a novel application of a counting process approach to account for discontinuous risk intervals between survey cycles.

RESULTS

The risk of SRTs was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26% to 31%) in females and 19% (95% CI, 16% to 23%) in males. The risk of SAs was 16% (95% CI, 14% to 19%) in females and 7% (95% CI, 6% to 8%) in males. Over 70% of SRTs and SAs first occur between 11 and 16 years of age and 30% between 11 and 13 years of age, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of SRTs and SAs is high in young Canadians, with most events first occurring in early to mid-adolescence and possibly earlier. Females are at a higher risk compared to males. This research underscores the need for better longitudinal surveillance of SRTs and SAs in the population. A counting process framework could be useful for future research using existing longitudinal surveys suffering from design limitations relating to gaps in respondent follow-up. Furthermore, these findings have implications for younger SRT and SA risk management by clinicians and earlier implementation of suicide prevention programs.

A Scoping Review of Emergency Department Discharge Instructions for Children and Adolescents With Mental Disorders

BACKGROUND

Although most young people under the age of 25 years with mental health presentations to the emergency department (ED) are discharged home, several studies suggest discharge instructions are inadequate. We conducted a scoping review to characterize and map the literature, identify research gaps, and prioritize targeted areas for future reviews for ED discharge instructions for young people with mental disorders.

METHODS

Our review was conducted in an iterative approach with 6 stages including identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, data extraction, collaring and summarizing, and stakeholder engagement. We characterized the available information on discharge instruction interventions using the Behavior Change Wheel.

RESULTS

Of the 805 potential publications screened, 25 were included for extraction. Nine of the 25 articles focused on suicide or self-harm, 6 were on mental health in general or mixed groups, and 9 focused on alcohol, tobacco, or substance use in general. Five studies included younger children (ie, less than 12 years) but ages ranged significantly among studies. Education and persuasion were intervention functions most commonly reported in publications (n = 13 and n = 12, respectively). From the policy categories, recommendations regarding service provision were most frequently made from four publications. Descriptions of theory were limited in publications.

CONCLUSIONS

The available literature regarding discharge instructions in the ED for youth with mental disorders is focused on certain content areas (eg, self injurious behaviors, substance use) with more work required in chronic mental disorders that make up a significant proportion of ED visits. Research that extends beyond education and with theoretical underpinnings to explain how and why various interventions work would be useful for clinicians, policy-makers, and other researchers.

The association of exposure to suicide-related Internet content and emergency department visits in children: A population-based time series analysis

OBJECTIVES

Suicide-related emergency department (ED) visits by children are increasing in tandem with suicide-related Internet content. Following the announcement of Amanda Todd's suicide, her YouTube video received widespread views, providing an opportunity to explore this association.

METHODS

Our research question was: Among Ontario children age 11-17 years, was the release of Amanda Todd's YouTube video following her death announcement in October 2012 associated with an increase in average monthly ED visit rates for suicide-related diagnoses? We performed an interrupted time series analysis from April 2002 to December 2013, with the primary outcome as a composite of the average monthly rate of initial ED visits for suicidal ideation, intentional self-poisoning, and intentional self-harm. Secondary outcomes were average monthly rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death resulting from the index visit.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in the monthly ED visit rate for the composite outcome (p = 0.02) and death or ICU admission (p = 0.006) from April 2002 to December 2013. There was no significant change in ED visit rate for the composite outcome before and after the announcement of Amanda Todd's death, overall (119.8 versus 219.2 respectively, p = 0.5), among females (167.4 versus 316.8 respectively, p = 0.47) or among males (74.7 versus 116.9 respectively, p = 0.33).

CONCLUSIONS

Ontario ED visits for suicide-related diagnoses in 11-17 year olds increased from 2002 to 2013. However, the increase from October 2012 to December 2013 could not be attributed to a highly publicized adolescent suicide. Our findings suggest that suicide-related Internet content is not associated with the increase in ED visits for suicidal behaviour.

Hospitalizations due to self-poisoning at a Canadian paediatric hospital

Background

Adolescent self-harm by drug ingestion (i.e., self-poisoning) is a serious mental health issue. In Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), paediatricians suspected an increase in the number of adolescents hospitalized due to self-poisoning in the province. Our primary aim was to evaluate the number of hospital admissions of adolescents for self-poisoning between 2008 and 2013 to determine whether there was indeed an increase in hospitalizations. We also wanted to examine the characteristics of these admissions to better understand this patient population.

Method

A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify cases of self-poisoning admitted to the only paediatric hospital in NL over a 6-year period. A data abstraction form was developed to collect patient demographic information and details about these incidences of self-poisoning.

Results

A total of 156 patient admissions were identified; 97 (62.2%) first time admissions and 59 (37.8%) recurrent admissions. The number of admissions for self-poisoning increased over the study period from 2.1% of total hospital admissions in 2008 to 6.5% in 2013. Mean (SD) age at the time of admission was 15.4 years, 122 patients (78.2%) were female and 86.5% had at least 1 previous mental health diagnosis. The most common drugs ingested were analgesics (38.0%) and antidepressants (32.2%), with 73 patients (48.7%) ingesting multiple drugs.

Conclusions

The study contributes to the growing recognition of adolescent self-poisoning as a serious paediatric mental health issue. It also confirmed that an increase in adolescent hospitalizations due to self-poisoning has occurred in NL. Further research is warranted to identify effective prevention strategies for this serious problem.

A comparison of methods of self-harm without intent to die: Cutting versus self-poisoning

BACKGROUND

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in DSM-5 Section 3 is restricted to damaging the skin, while self-poisoning is not considered NSSI even if there was no suicidal intent. The objective of this study was to compare correlates of people who self-cut and those who self-poison without suicidal intent, to determine whether people who harm themselves by cutting are a distinct subgroup.

METHODS

There were 12,435 presentations to adult psychiatric services in the emergency departments of tertiary care hospitals in Manitoba between January 2009 and December 2013. Chart reviews were conducted for all presentations with self-harm without suicidal intent (n=219; 1.8% of the total sample). People presenting with cutting (n=47) were compared to those presenting with self-poisoning (n=116).

RESULTS

There were no differences between the groups on most demographic measures, except for age, where the people who cut were younger. Mental disorders were common in both groups. 31.9% of the cutting group had an alcohol use disorder, as did 25% of the self-poisoning group. Cluster B personality traits/disorder was diagnosed more frequently in the cutting group (51.1%) than the self-poisoning group (37.9%), but this difference was non-significant. Previous non-suicidal self-harm was more common among people cutting.

LIMITATIONS

We were unable to draw conclusions about the risk of suicide.

CONCLUSIONS

People who engage in non-suicidal self-harm have high rates of mental disorders. The method that people use to harm themselves does not appear to distinguish these groups; they appear to be similar on most demographic and diagnostic correlates. Further study is required to determine the validity of NSSI, including studies that compare those who self-harm with and without suicidal intent.

Does emergency department use and post-visit physician care cluster geographically and temporally for adolescents who self-harm? A population-based 9-year retrospective cohort study from Alberta, Canada

BACKGROUND

Clustering of adolescent self-harming behaviours in the context of health care utilization has not been studied. We identified geographic areas with higher numbers of adolescents who (1) presented to an emergency department (ED) for self-harm, and (2) were without a physician follow-up visit for mental health within 14 days post-ED visit.

METHODS

We extracted a population-based cohort of adolescents aged 15-17 years (n = 3,927) with ED visits during 2002-2011 in Alberta, Canada. We defined the case as an individual with one or more ED presentations for self-harm in the fiscal year of the analysis. Crude case rates were calculated and clusters were identified using a spatial scan.

RESULTS

The rates decreased over time for ED visits for self-harm (differences: girls -199.6/100,000; p < 0.01; boys -58.8/100,000; p < 0.01), and for adolescents without a follow-up visit within 14 days following an ED visit for self-harm (differences: girls -108.3/100,000; p < 0.01; boys -61.9/100,000; p < 0.01). Two space-time clusters were identified: (1) a North zone cluster during 2002-2006 (p < 0.01) and (2) a South zone cluster during 2003-2007 (p < 0.01). These clusters had higher numbers of adolescents who presented to the ED for self-harm (relative risks [RRs]: 1.58 for cluster 1, 3.54 for cluster 2) and were without a 14-day physician follow-up (RRs: 1.78 for cluster 1, 4.17 for cluster 2). In 2010/2011, clusters in the North, Edmonton, and Central zones were identified for adolescents with and without a follow-up visit within 14 days following an ED visit for self-harm (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The rates for ED visits for adolescents who self-harm and rates of adolescents without a 14-day physician follow-up visit following emergency care for self-harm decreased during the study period. The space-time clusters identified the areas and years where visits to the ED by adolescents for self-harm were statistically higher than expected. These clusters can be used to identify locations where adolescents are potentially not receiving follow-up and the mental health support needed after emergency-based care. The 2010/2011 geographic cluster suggests that the northern part of the province still has elevated numbers of adolescents visiting the ED for self-harm. Prospective research is needed to determine outcomes associated with adolescents who receive physician follow-up following ED-based care for self-harm compared to those who do not.

Migraine headache and risk of self-harm and suicide: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

Migraine has been associated with mental illness, and may also be associated with increased risk of suicidal behavior.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article was to examine the association between migraine headache and self-harm and suicide mortality using population-based health administrative data from Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

The sample included 101,114 participants in a population-based health survey in the province of Ontario, Canada, who responded to the survey in 2003, 2005, or 2007, and provided health card numbers for linkage to population-based health administrative data. Participants self-reported a physician diagnosis of migraine headache. Heath administrative data were used to calculate (1) Follow-up time until first presentation to the emergency department for intentional self-harm; (2) Follow-up time until death by suicide. Proportional subdistribution hazards regression was used to compare time until death among those with and without history of migraine, after accounting for competing risks of death and adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

Physician diagnosis of migraine was reported by 11.2% of the sample (11,314 individuals). Mean follow-up time was 7.3 years. Emergency department visits for self-harm during the follow-up period were almost 50% more likely in those with migraine (76.4 vs 35.7 per 100,000 person years; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.48; 95%CI: 1.11,1.96). Death by suicide was rare with only 55 suicides in the follow-up period (7.45 per 100,000 person-years). Risk of suicide was similar for both those with and without history of migraine headache (adjusted hazard ratio=0.60; 95%CI: 0.22,1.65).

CONCLUSIONS

Physician diagnosis of migraine headache was found to be prospectively associated with increased risk of deliberate self-harm, but there was no evidence linking it to suicide mortality. Definitively linking migraine to death by suicide may require very large samples. Health care professionals should consider monitoring suicidal risk in individuals with migraine headache.

Emergency Health Care Use among Sociodemographic Groups of Children Presenting to Emergency Departments for Self-Harm in Alberta

OBJECTIVE

To examine sociodemographic variations among children <18 years in (1) rates of self-harm visits to emergency departments (EDs) and (2) physician follow-up after the self-harm visit in Alberta.

METHODS

A retrospective, population-based cohort (2002-2011) of ED visits for self-harm by individuals <18 years was conducted using administrative databases from Alberta, Canada. Individuals were grouped by First Nations status or type of health care premium subsidy (family receipt of government subsidy, human services program subsidy, no subsidy received). Visits from 104 EDs were summarized by crude and directly standardized visit rates (DSVRs) per 100,000 individuals. Kaplan-Meier estimates for median estimated time to physician follow-up were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

During the study period, visit rates decreased with the exception of children from families receiving government-sponsored program subsidy (DSVRs 163/100,000 to 250/100,000; p=0.032). First Nations children had disproportionately fewer follow-up visits compared to other children. The median time to follow-up for First Nations children was 39 days (95% CI: 32, 48) compared to 16 days for children from families receiving no subsidy (95% CI: 14, 19), who had the shortest follow-up time after an ED visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic differences were evident in ED visit rates as well as the number of and time to physician follow-up visit. The disparities experienced by First Nations children in the follow-up period highlight an opportunity for culturally-grounded risk and needs assessment in the ED to determine and facilitate timely and appropriate follow-up care.

Time trends in suicide-related behaviours in girls and boys

OBJECTIVE

To examine the incidence and nature of emergency department (ED) presentations for nonfatal suicide-related behaviours (SRBs) over time, in boys and girls living in Ontario. We hypothesize declining rates (fiscal years [FYs] 2002/03 to 2006/07) ceased thereafter owing to renewed regulatory warnings against prescribing antidepressants and the economic recession.

METHOD

We graphed and tested differences in ED SRB incidence rates for FYs 2002/03 to 2010/11. We estimated rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals using negative binomial regression controlling for changes in the underlying population (age, community size, and neighbourhood income quintile). We examined the nature of the incident (index) presentations over time in terms of the method(s) used and events occurring before and after the index event.

RESULTS

ED SRB incidence rates decreased by 30% in boys and girls from FYs 2002/03 to 2006/07, but not thereafter. This trend was most evident in girls who self-poisoned and in girls' presentations to hospital with mental illness in the preceding year. Within a year of the index event, the proportion of girls with a repeat ED SRB presentation also declined by about one-third, but beyond FYs 2005/06 to 2009/10. However, the proportion admitted subsequent to the index event increased by about one-third. In boys, their patterns of presentations to hospital with mental illness and SRB repetition over time were similar to girls, but estimated with greater variability.

CONCLUSIONS

While the decline in ED SRB rates to FY 2006/07 is encouraging, the lack of decline thereafter and an increase in subsequent admissions merits ongoing monitoring and evaluation.