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Chow S, Men VY, Zaheer R, Schaffer A, Triggs C, Spittal MJ, Elliott M, Schaffer D, Vije M, Jayakumar N, Sinyor M. Suicide on the Toronto Transit Commission subway system in Canada (1998-2021): a time-series analysis. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 34:100754. [PMID: 38764981 PMCID: PMC11101865 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Background The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates the public transit system in Toronto, Canada. From 1954 to 1980, there were 430 suicide deaths/attempts on the TTC subway system. In 2011, TTC implemented Crisis Link, a suicide helpline to connect subway passengers with counsellors. Upstream factors such as media reporting about suicide incidents may also influence suicidal behaviour. Our objectives were to investigate how Crisis Link and media reports about TTC suicide incidents influenced suicide rates. Methods Suicide data were obtained from the TTC and Coroner, with Crisis Link data provided by Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (1998-2021). Media articles were identified through a database search of Toronto media publications. Interrupted time-series analysis investigated the association between Crisis Link calls, media articles, and quarterly suicide rates on the subway system. Findings There were 302 suicides on TTC's subway system from 1998 to 2021. The introduction of Crisis Link was associated with a large but non-significant decrease in TTC-related suicide rate in the same quarter (IRR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.36-1.12). Each subsequent post-Crisis-Link quarter experienced an average 2% increase in suicide rate (IRR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.004-1.04). Furthermore, for each TTC-related media article in the previous quarter, the suicide rate on the TTC increased by 2% (IRR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.004-1.04). Interpretation The Crisis Link helpline was associated with a large but non-significant short-term decrease in suicide rates. However, this outcome was not sustained; this may, in part, be attributable to media reporting which was associated with increased suicides. This should inform suicide prevention policies in Canada and worldwide. Funding No funding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Chow
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Vera Yu Men
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rabia Zaheer
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ayal Schaffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christine Triggs
- Safety & Environment Department, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matthew J. Spittal
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Dalia Schaffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mathavan Vije
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Navitha Jayakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mark Sinyor
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Marzano L, Hawley M, Fraser L, Lainez Y, Marsh J, Hawton K. Media coverage and speculation about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide: a content analysis of UK news. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065456. [PMID: 36854584 PMCID: PMC9979592 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been much concern and speculation about rises in suicide rates, despite evidence that suicides did not in fact increase in the first year of the pandemic in most countries with real-time suicide data. This public narrative is potentially harmful, as well as misleading, and is likely to be perpetuated by sensational news coverage. METHOD Using a bespoke database, we analysed the quality and content of print and online UK news (including opinion pieces) on the impact of COVID-19 on suicidality, based on adherence to international recommendations. χ2 tests were conducted to examine variability in relation to key characteristics (eg, type of publication) and to four 'restriction phases' (based on UK government official lockdown measures) over the first 14 months of the pandemic. RESULTS We identified 372 stories about COVID-19 and suicidality in online and print news between the first UK lockdown (March 2020) and May 2021 (when restrictions were significantly eased in the UK). Throughout this period, over a third of articles (39.2%) and headlines (41.4%) claimed or predicted a rise in suicide, often attributed to feelings of entrapment and poor mental health (especially among young people) and fueled by expert commentary and speculation. Almost a third of reports were rated as being of negative quality (116, 31.2%), and at least half included no signposting to help and support. However, reporting improved in phases of less stringent COVID-19 restrictions and over time, with later articles and headlines including fewer negative statements and predictions about rises in suicides, and greater reliance on academic evidence. CONCLUSIONS As the longer-term consequences of the pandemic develop, and other national and global events unfold, it is increasingly important that the media, and the wider community of experts shaping its narratives, strive for a positive and evidence-informed approach to news coverage of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - James Marsh
- University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Keith Hawton
- Psychiatry, Centre for Suicide Research, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
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Hofstra E, Bakker M, Diepstraten CAM, Elfeddali I, Lucas MS, van Nieuwenhuizen C, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM. The Association Between Suicide-Related Media Coverage and Suicide: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study. Arch Suicide Res 2022; 26:1094-1107. [PMID: 33275539 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1851833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between the publication and content of suicide-related media reports and actual suicide in Noord Brabant, a province of the Netherlands. METHOD Between April 2017 and March 2018, a retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted on suicide-related media reports and incident data regarding suicides. Linear regression, Mann-Whitney U and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS In Noord-Brabant, a total of 352 people died from suicide during the observation period and 440 reports were identified by using the search terms "suicide", "self-killing", and "self-murder". No associations between media reports and actual suicides were found for any of the analyses performed. CONCLUSIONS No indications were found for an association between media coverage of suicide and increases or decreases in actual suicides in Noord-Brabant. The descriptive statistics of this study reveal that the regional and national Dutch media are doing well with respect to not including elements in their reports that could encourage copycat behavior, such as simplifying, romanticizing or dramatizing. They could improve on including protective content, for example, providing supportive background information. A recommendation for further research is to evaluate causal relationships between media and actual suicide. A stepped wedge trial might be needed, as this provides an ethical research design to investigate this issue in a controlled setting. Also, in such a study, other variables influencing the decision to attempt suicide should be taken into account as much as possible.
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Benson R, Rigby J, Brunsdon C, Cully G, Too LS, Arensman E. Quantitative Methods to Detect Suicide and Self-Harm Clusters: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095313. [PMID: 35564710 PMCID: PMC9099648 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Suicide and self-harm clusters exist in various forms, including point, mass, and echo clusters. The early identification of clusters is important to mitigate contagion and allocate timely interventions. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize existing evidence of quantitative analyses of suicide and self-harm clusters. Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from date of inception to December 2020 for studies that statistically analyzed the presence of suicide or self-harm clusters. Extracted data were narratively synthesized due to heterogeneity among the statistical methods applied. Of 7268 identified studies, 79 were eligible for narrative synthesis. Most studies quantitatively verified the presence of suicide and self-harm clusters based on the scale of the data and type of cluster. A Poisson-based scan statistical model was found to be effective in accurately detecting point and echo clusters. Mass clusters are typically detected by a time-series regression model, although limitations exist. Recently, the statistical analysis of suicide and self-harm clusters has progressed due to advances in quantitative methods and geospatial analytical techniques, most notably spatial scanning software. The application of such techniques to real-time surveillance data could effectively detect emerging clusters and provide timely intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Benson
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (E.A.)
- National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, 4.28 Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
- Correspondence:
| | - Jan Rigby
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland; (J.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Christopher Brunsdon
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland; (J.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Grace Cully
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (E.A.)
- National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, 4.28 Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
| | - Lay San Too
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia;
| | - Ella Arensman
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (E.A.)
- National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, 4.28 Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
- Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia
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Singh R, Mahato S, Khadka S, Basnet P, Bista K, Karki R, Arafat SMY. Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal: Quality assessment against World Health Organization media guidelines. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e547. [PMID: 35284645 PMCID: PMC8900976 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sensible media reporting of suicide is a population-based suicide prevention strategy. However, the quality of media reporting of suicide has not been assessed in Nepal. Objectives We aimed to assess the newspaper reporting status of suicide in Nepal with reference to World Health Organization (WHO) media guidelines for suicide reporting. Method We retrospectively searched eight major newspapers in Nepal between January 2020 and May 2021 and assessed 167 news reports against WHO suicide reporting guidelines. Results Potentially harmful characteristics were found to be reported in both the title and main text of the reports. About half of them mentioned sex (48.5%) and 38.3% mentioned the location of suicide in the title. Of the 167 reports, 74.3%, 95.2%, 34.7%, 92.2%, 98.8%, and 52.7% mentioned the name, sex, occupation, method of suicide, the location of suicide, and life events, respectively, in their main content. On the other hand, only 6% and 2.4% of reports mentioned linkage of suicides with mental illness and substance abuse, respectively. While lesser than 1% of reports narrated educative information regarding suicide prevention, none mentioned contact information for help-seeking for the vulnerable. Conclusion Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal poorly adheres to WHO guidelines, substantiated by the high presence of potentially harmful characteristics and negligible presence of potentially helpful characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Singh
- Research DepartmentTranscultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) NepalKathmanduNepal
- Visiting Faculty, Department of Community Medicine and Public HealthKIST Medical CollegeLalitpurNepal
| | - Sharika Mahato
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Research DepartmentPlan International NepalLalitpurNepal
| | | | - Pragyan Basnet
- School of MedicinePatan Academy of Health SciencesLalitpurNepal
| | - Kalendra Bista
- School of MedicinePatan Academy of Health SciencesLalitpurNepal
| | - Ritika Karki
- School of MedicinePatan Academy of Health SciencesLalitpurNepal
| | - S. M. Yasir Arafat
- Department of PsychiatryEnam Medical College and HospitalSavarBangladesh
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Arafat SMY, Ahmad AR, Saeed AK, Menon V, Shoib S, Kar SK. Quality of media reporting of suicide in Iraq. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:443-448. [PMID: 33736514 DOI: 10.1177/00207640211003928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass media has an important role in influencing the suicidal behavior of the general population. However, the quality of news reporting of suicide has not been assessed in Iraq. AIM We aimed to assess the quality of news reports in Iraq while reporting the suicidal behaviors. METHODS The search was done on Google in November and December 2020 with the search term 'suicide news in Iraq' and accessible news reports distributed in Kurdish, Arabic, and English languages were taken out. We scrutinized the news reports to identify the reporting characteristics and compared them with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. RESULTS A total of 130 news reports were analyzed; among them 23.8% were Kurdish, 63.8% were Arabic, and 12.3% were in the English language. About 31.5% of the reports mentioned the name and 40.8% mentioned the occupation. The name of method was mentioned in 88.5%, mono-causality was found in about 34.6%, the term 'suicide' was mentioned in the headline in 94.6%, and method of suicide was mentioned in the headline of about 27.7% of the reports. Only 5.4% of the reports traced mental illness, 6.9% mentioned expert opinion, and none of the reports mentioned prevention program, and educative information. CONCLUSION The study revealed that news reports of suicidal behavior in Iraq are poorly adherent to the WHO reporting guidelines. Further studies are warranted to identify the responsible factors and culture-specific prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Araz Ramazan Ahmad
- Department of Administration, College of Humanities, University of Raparin, Ranya, Iraq.,Department of International Relations & Diplomacy, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
| | | | - Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Sheikh Shoib
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Zhao X, Coxe SJ, Timmons AC, Frazier SL. Mental Health Information Seeking Online: A Google Trends Analysis of ADHD. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2021; 49:357-373. [PMID: 34553276 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-021-01168-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Health information influences consumer decision making to seek, select, and utilize services. Online searching for mental health information is increasingly common, especially by adolescents and parents. We examined historical trends and factors that may influence population-level patterns in information seeking for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We extracted Google Trends data from January 2004 to February 2020. Keywords included "ADHD," "ADHD treatment," "ADHD medication," and "ADHD therapy." We examined trends (systematic change over time) and seasonality (repeating pattern of change) via time-series analyses and graphics. We also used interrupted time-series analyses to examine the impact of celebrity and pharmaceutical events. Queries of "ADHD medication" increase, while queries for "ADHD therapy" remain relatively low despite a positive linear trend. Searches for "ADHD treatment" displayed a downward trend in more recent years. Analyses on seasonality revealed that holiday breaks coincided with a decrease in search interest, while post-break periods illustrated a rise, and the ADHD Awareness Month (October) coincided with a rise of public interest in all four search terms. Celebrity effects were more prominent in earlier years; the "Own It" pharmaceutical campaign may have increased ADHD awareness and the specificity of searches for "ADHD medication." The anonymous, accessible, and low-cost nature of seeking information online makes search engines like Google important sources of mental health information. Changing search patterns in response to seasonal, advocacy, and media events highlight internet-based opportunities for raising awareness and disseminating empirically supported information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts, Sciences, & Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, USA.
| | - Stefany J Coxe
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts, Sciences, & Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, USA
| | - Adela C Timmons
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts, Sciences, & Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, USA
| | - Stacy L Frazier
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts, Sciences, & Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, USA
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Köhler J, Heinz I, Mergl R, Elsner A, Hegerl U. The German Alliance Against Depression and suicide rates: A retrospective analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254133. [PMID: 34197545 PMCID: PMC8248967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Supported by the German Alliance Against Depression, 82 regions in Germany launched their own community-based multi-level intervention programs targeting both depression and suicidal behavior prior to January 2016. Sixteen of these regions have implemented the full 4-level intervention program comprising 1) training of General Practitioners, 2) a public awareness campaign, 3) training of community facilitators and 4) support for depressed patients and their relatives for at least three years. The aim of the study was to examine possible suicide prevention effects in these sixteen 4-level intervention regions (comprising a population of 6,976,309) by 1) comparing the annual suicide rates during the 3-year intervention period to a 10-year baseline and 2) comparing these differences to corresponding trends in Germany after excluding all intervention regions (Germany-IR). Primary outcome was the annual rate of suicides. Analyses included negative binomial regression models. When examining differences between suicide rates during the intervention period compared to the baseline period, only a trend towards a significant reduction was found. This reduction of suicides in the sixteen 4-level intervention regions did not differ from that in Germany-IR as control. The interpretation of these findings has to take into account that the training of General Practitioners, police and other community facilitators might have improved the recognition of suicides, thus increasing detection rates. Furthermore, destigmatizing effects of the public awareness campaigns might have increased the number of suicides by lowering suicide threshold ("normalization") for those at risk and by decreasing the rate of suicides deliberately hidden by suicide victims or their relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Köhler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ines Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- German Alliance Against Depression, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Mergl
- Universität der Bundeswehr München, Institute of Psychology, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Anne Elsner
- German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt (Distinguished Professorship funded by Dr. Senckenbergische Stiftung), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Safdar M, Afzal KI, Smith Z, Ali F, Zarif P, Baig ZF. Suicide by poisoning in Pakistan: review of regional trends, toxicity and management of commonly used agents in the past three decades. BJPsych Open 2021; 7:e114. [PMID: 34134811 PMCID: PMC8240123 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is one of the leading mental health crises and takes one life every 40 seconds. Four out of every five suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. Despite religion being a protective factor against suicide, the estimated number of suicides is rapidly increasing in Pakistan. AIMS Our review focuses on the trends of suicide and means of self-poisoning in the past three decades, and the management of commonly used poisons. METHOD We searched two electronic databases (PubMed and PakMediNet) for published English-language studies describing agents used for suicide in different regions of Pakistan. A total of 46 out of 85 papers (N = 54 747 cases) met our inclusion criteria. RESULTS Suicidal behaviour was more common among individuals younger than 30 years. Females comprised 60% of those who attempted suicide in our study sample, although the ratio of completed suicides favoured males. There were regional trends in the choice of agent for overdose. Organophosphate poisoning was reported across the nation, with a predominance of cases from the agricultural belt of South Punjab and interior Sindh. Aluminium phosphide ('wheat pills') was a preferred agent in North Punjab, whereas paraphenylenediamine ('kala pathar') was implicated in deaths by suicide from South Punjab. Urban areas had other means for suicide, including household chemicals, benzodiazepines, kerosene oil and rat poison. CONCLUSIONS Urgent steps are needed, including psychoeducational campaigns on mental health and suicide, staff training, medical resources for prompt treatment of self-poisoning and updated governmental policy to regulate pesticide sales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Safdar
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Imran Afzal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Zoe Smith
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University, Illinois, USA
| | - Filza Ali
- Department of Forensic Medicine, CMH Multan Institute of Medical Sciences, Pakistan
| | - Pervaiz Zarif
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Farooq Baig
- Department of Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry, Pakistan
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van Houwelingen CAJ, Di Bucchianico A, Beersma DGM, Kerkhof AJFM. Railway Suicide in The Netherlands Lower Than Expected. CRISIS 2021; 43:368-374. [PMID: 34003022 PMCID: PMC9578363 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract.Background: Increasing rail transportation requires appropriate railway suicide preventive measures. Aims: The investigation of trends in railway suicide during 2008–2018, a period in which preventive measures were taken by Dutch railway infrastructure manager ProRail. Methods: Generalized linear regression models for railway suicide were developed for the period 1970–2007 with general suicide rate, railway traffic intensity, and a combination of these variables as regressors. Subsequently, the best-fitting model was used to investigate trends in railway suicide after 2007 by comparing in retrospect observed values with the expected outcomes of the regression model. Results: An adequate regression model for railway suicide was obtained using both general suicide rate and railway traffic intensity as regressors. Based on this model, while national suicide mortality and railway traffic increased, a distinct relative decline in railway suicides was found from 2012 onward. Conclusions: This decline of railway suicides in the Netherlands may indicate that preventive measures taken by ProRail were effective and prevented around 85 railway suicides annually, a reduction of 30%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Domien G M Beersma
- Research Unit of Chronobiology, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ad J F M Kerkhof
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Rosen G, Kreiner H, Levi-Belz Y. Public Response to Suicide News Reports as Reflected in Computerized Text Analysis of Online Reader Comments. Arch Suicide Res 2020; 24:243-259. [PMID: 30636527 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2018.1563578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has documented the rise in rates of suicidal behaviors following media reports of celebrity suicide. Whereas most research has focused on documenting and analyzing suicide rates, little is known about more subtle psychological effects of celebrity suicide on the public, such as despair and feelings of abandonment. The Internet has revolutionized the responses to news reports, enabling immediate and anonymous responses potentially reflecting these psychological processes. Thus, the current study explored the unique psychological impact of a celebrity suicide on the public by analyzing the big data of readers' comments to suicide news reports, using computational linguistics methods. Readers' comments (N = 14,506) to suicide news reports were retrieved from 4 leading online news sites. The comments were posted in response to 1 of 1 types of reports: a celebrity suicide (Robin Williams), a non-celebrity suicide, and general reports of suicide as a social phenomenon. LIWC software for computerized linguistic analysis was used to calculate the frequency of the various types of words used. Comparison of the responses to the 3 types of suicide reports revealed higher frequency of first-person pronouns and for emotionally charged words on comments to a celebrity suicide, compared with comments to the other types of suicide reports. The findings suggest that celebrity suicide news reports evoke the expression of positive emotions, possibly related to the venerated celebrity, alongside negative, internalized emotions, and feelings of social isolation. Theoretical, practical, and methodological implications are discussed.
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Hegerl U, Maxwell M, Harris F, Koburger N, Mergl R, Székely A, Arensman E, Van Audenhove C, Larkin C, Toth MD, Quintão S, Värnik A, Genz A, Sarchiapone M, McDaid D, Schmidtke A, Purebl G, Coyne JC, Gusmão R. Prevention of suicidal behaviour: Results of a controlled community-based intervention study in four European countries. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224602. [PMID: 31710620 PMCID: PMC6844461 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The 'European Alliance Against Depression' community-based intervention approach simultaneously targets depression and suicidal behaviour by a multifaceted community based intervention and has been implemented in more than 115 regions worldwide. The two main aims of the European Union funded project "Optimizing Suicide Prevention Programmes and Their Implementation in Europe" were to optimise this approach and to evaluate its implementation and impact. This paper reports on the primary outcome of the intervention (the number of completed and attempted suicides combined as 'suicidal acts') and on results concerning process evaluation analysis. Interventions were implemented in four European cities in Germany, Hungary, Portugal and Ireland, with matched control sites. The intervention comprised activities with predefined minimal intensity at four levels: training of primary care providers, a public awareness campaign, training of community facilitators, support for patients and their relatives. Changes in frequency of suicidal acts with respect to a one-year baseline in the four intervention regions were compared to those in the four control regions (chi-square tests). The decrease in suicidal acts compared to baseline in the intervention regions (-58 cases, -3.26%) did not differ significantly (χ2 = 0.13; p = 0.72) from the decrease in the control regions (-18 cases, -1.40%). However, intervention effects differed between countries (χ2 = 8.59; p = 0.04), with significant effects on suicidal acts in Portugal (χ2 = 4.82; p = 0.03). The interviews and observations explored local circumstances in each site throughout the study. Hypothesised mechanisms of action for successful implementation were observed and drivers for 'added-value' were identified: local partnership working and 'in-kind' contributions; an approach which valued existing partnership strengths; and synergies operating across intervention levels. It can be assumed that significant events during the implementation phase had a certain impact on the observed outcomes. However, this impact was, of course, not proven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Margaret Maxwell
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Harris
- Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Koburger
- Department of Research Services, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxonia, Germany
| | - Roland Mergl
- Department of Psychology, Bundeswehr University Munich
| | - András Székely
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ella Arensman
- National Suicide Research Foundation and School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Chantal Van Audenhove
- Center for care research and consultancy at KU Leuven (LUCAS), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celine Larkin
- National Suicide Research Foundation and School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mónika Ditta Toth
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sónia Quintão
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Airi Värnik
- Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute (ERSI), Tallinn, Estonia & Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Axel Genz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Saxonia-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Marco Sarchiapone
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - David McDaid
- London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Armin Schmidtke
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - György Purebl
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - James C. Coyne
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ricardo Gusmão
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- ISPUP, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Wang Z, Yu G, Tian X. Exploring Behavior of People with Suicidal Ideation in a Chinese Online Suicidal Community. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 16:ijerph16010054. [PMID: 30587805 PMCID: PMC6339245 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
People with suicidal ideation (PSI) are increasingly using social media to express suicidal feelings. Researchers have found that their internet-based communication may lead to the spread of suicidal ideation, which presents a set of challenges for suicide prevention. To develop effective prevention and intervention strategies that can be efficiently applied in online communities, we need to understand the behavior of PSI in internet-based communities. However, to date there have been no studies that specifically focus on the behavior of PSI in Chinese online communities. A total of 4489 postings in which users explicitly expressed their suicidal ideation were labeled from 560,000 postings in an internet-based suicidal community on Weibo (one of the biggest social media platforms in China) to explore their behavior. The results reveal that PSI are significantly more active than other users in the community. With the use of social network analysis, we also found that the more frequently users communicate with PSI, the more likely that users would become suicidal. In addition, Chinese women may be more likely to be at risk of suicide than men in the community. This study enriches our knowledge of PSI’s behavior in online communities, which may contribute to detecting and assisting PSI on social media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wang
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Guang Yu
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Xianyun Tian
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.
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Mavragani A, Ochoa G, Tsagarakis KP. Assessing the Methods, Tools, and Statistical Approaches in Google Trends Research: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2018; 20:e270. [PMID: 30401664 PMCID: PMC6246971 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.9366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the era of information overload, are big data analytics the answer to access and better manage available knowledge? Over the last decade, the use of Web-based data in public health issues, that is, infodemiology, has been proven useful in assessing various aspects of human behavior. Google Trends is the most popular tool to gather such information, and it has been used in several topics up to this point, with health and medicine being the most focused subject. Web-based behavior is monitored and analyzed in order to examine actual human behavior so as to predict, better assess, and even prevent health-related issues that constantly arise in everyday life. Objective This systematic review aimed at reporting and further presenting and analyzing the methods, tools, and statistical approaches for Google Trends (infodemiology) studies in health-related topics from 2006 to 2016 to provide an overview of the usefulness of said tool and be a point of reference for future research on the subject. Methods Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for selecting studies, we searched for the term “Google Trends” in the Scopus and PubMed databases from 2006 to 2016, applying specific criteria for types of publications and topics. A total of 109 published papers were extracted, excluding duplicates and those that did not fall inside the topics of health and medicine or the selected article types. We then further categorized the published papers according to their methodological approach, namely, visualization, seasonality, correlations, forecasting, and modeling. Results All the examined papers comprised, by definition, time series analysis, and all but two included data visualization. A total of 23.1% (24/104) studies used Google Trends data for examining seasonality, while 39.4% (41/104) and 32.7% (34/104) of the studies used correlations and modeling, respectively. Only 8.7% (9/104) of the studies used Google Trends data for predictions and forecasting in health-related topics; therefore, it is evident that a gap exists in forecasting using Google Trends data. Conclusions The monitoring of online queries can provide insight into human behavior, as this field is significantly and continuously growing and will be proven more than valuable in the future for assessing behavioral changes and providing ground for research using data that could not have been accessed otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaryllis Mavragani
- Department of Computing Science and Mathematics, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriela Ochoa
- Department of Computing Science and Mathematics, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
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15
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Ryan B, Kallberg VP, Rådbo H, Havârneanu GM, Silla A, Lukaschek K, Burkhardt JM, Bruyelle JL, El-Koursi EM, Beurskens E, Hedqvist M. Collecting evidence from distributed sources to evaluate railway suicide and trespass prevention measures. ERGONOMICS 2018; 61:1433-1453. [PMID: 29884104 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1485970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
It can be difficult to select from available safety preventative measures, especially where there is limited evidence of effectiveness in different contexts. This paper describes application of a method to identify and evaluate wide-ranging preventative measures for rail suicide and trespass fatalities. Evidence from literature and industry sources was collated and reviewed in a two stage process to achieve consensus among experts on the likely effects of the measures and factors influencing their implementation. Multiple evaluation criteria were used to examine the measures from different perspectives. Fencing, awareness campaigns and different types of organisational initiatives were recommended for further testing. This is the first time evidence has been collected internationally across such a range of preventative measures. Commentary is provided on using this type of approach to select safety measures from a pool of prevention options, including how re-framing the scope of the exercise could identify alternative options for prevention. Practitioner summary: The findings give insight to how different measures work in different ways and how industry can consider this in strategic initiatives. The method could be used in future studies with different frames of reference (e.g. different timescales, level of ambition and safety context e.g. railway crossings or highway fatalities). Abbreviation: RESTRAIL: REduction of Suicides and Trespasses on RAILway property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Ryan
- a Faculty of Engineering , University of Nottingham, University Park , Nottingham , UK
| | | | | | | | - Anne Silla
- b VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd , VTT , Finland
| | - Karoline Lukaschek
- e Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich , Munich , Germany
- f Helmholtz Zentrum München German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology. Neuherberg , Germany
| | | | - Jean-Luc Bruyelle
- h CRISTAL - Centre deRecherche en Informatique, Signal et Automatique de Lille, University of Lille , Lille , France
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16
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Marzano L, Fraser L, Scally M, Farley S, Hawton K. News Coverage of Suicidal Behavior in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. CRISIS 2018; 39:386-396. [DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Background: Media reporting of suicide has been associated with imitative acts. Internationally, this has led to the development of guidelines to promote responsible reporting of suicide. Aims: To examine the nature and quality of news coverage of suicidal behavior in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI). Method: UK and ROI press clippings relating to suicide over 12 months (N = 8,101) were coded for content and assessed for quality against existing guidelines. We examined variability in relation to key characteristics (e.g., type of publication) and compared newspaper portrayal of suicide against official statistics. Results: Reports were biased toward young, female, and relatively unusual suicides (including those involving a celebrity, more than one individual, and violent methods). Almost a third of reports had inappropriate headlines, but only a minority were of poor overall quality, and editors appear to be responsive to feedback. There was considerable variability in the quality of reports for different suicide methods. Limitations: This work cannot account for the impact of reporting on suicidal behavior. The speed of change in media trends also limits its conclusions. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for sustained efforts to promote responsible reporting of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marzano
- Psychology Department, Middlesex University, London, UK
| | | | - Mia Scally
- Psychology Department, Middlesex University, London, UK
| | - Stuart Farley
- Psychology Department, Middlesex University, London, UK
| | - Keith Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, University of Oxford, UK
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17
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McTernan N, Spillane A, Cully G, Cusack E, O'Reilly T, Arensman E. Media reporting of suicide and adherence to media guidelines. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2018; 64:536-544. [PMID: 29972096 DOI: 10.1177/0020764018784624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND International research consistently shows evidence for an association between sensationalised and detailed media reporting, and suicidal behaviour. AIM This study examined the quality of media reporting of suicide and adherence to media guidelines in Ireland. METHODS In accordance with the criteria outlined in the media guidelines for reporting suicide, 243 media articles were screened and analysed for quality of reporting of two high-profile cases of suicide and two cases of suicide that became high profile following a period of intense media coverage that occurred between September 2009 and December 2012. RESULTS A minority of articles breached the media guidelines in relation to sensationalised language (11.8%), placement of reports on the front page of the newspaper (9.5%), publishing of inappropriate photographs (4.2%) and mention of location of suicide (2.4%), while no articles disclosed the contents of a suicide note. However, in the majority of articles analysed, journalists did not refer to appropriate support services for people vulnerable to, and at risk of suicide (75.8%) or mention wider issues that are related to suicidal behaviour (53.8%). Overemphasis of community grief (48.3%) was also common. Nearly all articles (99.2%) breached at least one guideline and 58.9% of articles breached three or more guidelines. CONCLUSION Overall, adherence to media guidelines on reporting suicide in Ireland improved in certain key areas from September 2009 until December 2012. Nonetheless, important challenges remain. Increased monitoring by media monitoring agencies, regulators and government departments is required. Implementation should be conducted using a pro-active approach and form part of the curriculum of journalists and editors. The inclusion of guidelines for the reporting of suicidal behaviour in press codes of conduct for journalists warrants consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall McTernan
- 1 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ailbhe Spillane
- 1 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,2 School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Grace Cully
- 1 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,2 School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Eimear Cusack
- 1 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Theresa O'Reilly
- 1 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ella Arensman
- 1 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,2 School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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18
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Adawi M, Amital H, Mahamid M, Amital D, Bisharat B, Mahroum N, Sharif K, Guy A, Adawi A, Mahagna H, Abu Much A, Watad S, Bragazzi NL, Watad A. Searching the Internet for psychiatric disorders among Arab and Jewish Israelis: insights from a comprehensive infodemiological survey. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4507. [PMID: 29576974 PMCID: PMC5857171 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Israel represents a complex and pluralistic society comprising two major ethno-national groups, Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs, which differ in terms of religious and cultural values as well as social constructs. According to the so-called “diversification hypothesis”, within the framework of e-health and in the era of new information and communication technologies, seeking online health information could be a channel to increase health literacy, especially among disadvantaged groups. However, little is known concerning digital seeking behavior and, in particular, digital mental health literacy. This study was conducted in order to fill in this gap. Concerning raw figures, unadjusted for confounding variables (time, population size, Internet penetration index, disease rate), “depression” searched in Hebrew was characterized by 1.5 times higher search volumes, slightly declining throughout time, whereas relative search volumes (RSVs) related to “depression” searched in Arabic tended to increase over the years. Similar patterns could be detected for “phobia” (in Hebrew 1.4-fold higher than in Arabic) and for “anxiety” (with the searches performed in Hebrew 2.3 times higher than in Arabic). “Suicide” in Hebrew was searched 2.0-fold more than in Arabic (interestingly for both languages search volumes exhibited seasonal cyclic patterns). Eating disorders were searched more in Hebrew: 8.0-times more for “bulimia”, whilst “anorexia” was searched in Hebrew only. When adjusting for confounding variables, association between digital seeking behavior and ethnicity remained statistically significant (p-value < 0.0001) for all psychiatric disorders considered in the current investigation, except for “bulimia” (p = 0.989). More in details, Israeli Arabs searched for mental health disorders less than Jews, apart from “depression”. Arab and Jewish Israelis, besides differing in terms of language, religion, social and cultural values, have different patterns of usage of healthcare services and provisions, as well as e-healthcare services concerning mental health. Policy- and decision-makers should be aware of this and make their best efforts to promote digital health literacy among the Arab population in Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Adawi
- Padeh and Ziv Medical Centers, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Zefat, Israel
| | - Howard Amital
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mahmud Mahamid
- EMMS Nazareth Hospital, Nazareth, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Daniela Amital
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ness Ziona-Beer Yaacov Mental Health Center, Beer-Yaacov, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bishara Bisharat
- EMMS Nazareth Hospital, Nazareth, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.,The Society for Health Promotion of the Arab Community, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Nazareth, Israel
| | - Naim Mahroum
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Kassem Sharif
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Adi Guy
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Amin Adawi
- EMMS Nazareth Hospital, Nazareth, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Hussein Mahagna
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Arsalan Abu Much
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Samaa Watad
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Tel Aviiv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), School of Public Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Abdulla Watad
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Fink DS, Santaella-Tenorio J, Keyes KM. Increase in suicides the months after the death of Robin Williams in the US. PLoS One 2018. [PMID: 29415016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating suicides following the death of Robin Williams, a beloved actor and comedian, on August 11th, 2014, we used time-series analysis to estimate the expected number of suicides during the months following Williams' death. Monthly suicide count data in the US (1999-2015) were from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER). Expected suicides were calculated using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving averages model to account for both the seasonal patterns and autoregression. Time-series models indicated that we would expect 16,849 suicides from August to December 2014; however, we observed 18,690 suicides in that period, suggesting an excess of 1,841 cases (9.85% increase). Although excess suicides were observed across gender and age groups, males and persons aged 30-44 had the greatest increase in excess suicide events. This study documents associations between Robin Williams' death and suicide deaths in the population thereafter.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Fink
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
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20
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Fink DS, Santaella-Tenorio J, Keyes KM. Increase in suicides the months after the death of Robin Williams in the US. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191405. [PMID: 29415016 PMCID: PMC5802858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating suicides following the death of Robin Williams, a beloved actor and comedian, on August 11th, 2014, we used time-series analysis to estimate the expected number of suicides during the months following Williams' death. Monthly suicide count data in the US (1999-2015) were from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER). Expected suicides were calculated using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving averages model to account for both the seasonal patterns and autoregression. Time-series models indicated that we would expect 16,849 suicides from August to December 2014; however, we observed 18,690 suicides in that period, suggesting an excess of 1,841 cases (9.85% increase). Although excess suicides were observed across gender and age groups, males and persons aged 30-44 had the greatest increase in excess suicide events. This study documents associations between Robin Williams' death and suicide deaths in the population thereafter.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Fink
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Katherine M. Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
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21
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Paul E, Mergl R, Hegerl U. Has information on suicide methods provided via the Internet negatively impacted suicide rates? PLoS One 2017; 12:e0190136. [PMID: 29284015 PMCID: PMC5746214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Suicide rates in Germany consistently decreased from 1991 to 2006, but this trend was reversed in 2007. Underlying this reversal were large increases in suicides due to gassing in females and in being overrun in males. During a similar time period (2005-2013), Asian and some Western countries have also observed abrupt increases in suicides due to certain gasses, and the availability of "how-to" information on the Internet about these painless methods of suicide is thought to play a role in their increased use. This study used data from the Federal Statistics Office of Germany to examine current trends in overall suicide mortality in Germany (2007-2015) as well by age, gender, and suicide methods. Also assessed was whether suicides via newly emergent methods are associated with the frequency of corresponding Internet searches using data from Google Trends. Joinpoint regression analyses indicated significant increases in the overall suicide rate (Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) = 2.37%) for females, but not males. The largest annual increases were observed in gassing self-intoxication suicides (AAPC = 13.93%), the majority of which involved carbon monoxide. The increase in gassing suicides was larger in females (500%), compared to males (164%). The frequency of suicides by gassing was significantly associated with Internet searches for "carbon monoxide poisoning" for both male and female subgroups, independent of age group. This study provides the updated suicide surveillance data that are necessary for suicide prevention activities. Results are congruent with the recent abrupt rises in carbon monoxide suicides in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Paul
- Depression Research Centre of the German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Mergl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Depression Research Centre of the German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- European Alliance against Depression, Leipzig, Germany
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Abstract
More than 800 000 people die every year from suicide, and about 20 times more attempt suicide. In most countries, suicide risk is highest in older males, and risk of attempted suicide is highest in younger females. The higher lethal level of suicidal acts in males is explained by the preference for more lethal methods, as well as other factors. In the vast majority of cases, suicidal behavior occurs in the context of psychiatric disorders, depression being the most important one. Improving the treatment of depression, restricting access to lethal means, and avoiding the Werther effect (imitation suicide) are central aspects of suicide prevention programs. In several European regions, the four-level intervention concept of the European Alliance Against Depression (www.EAAD.net), simultaneously targeting depression and suicidal behavior, has been found to have preventive effects on suicidal behavior. It has already been implemented in more than 100 regions in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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23
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Public attitudes toward depression and help-seeking: Impact of the OSPI-Europe depression awareness campaign in four European regions. J Affect Disord 2017; 217:252-259. [PMID: 28437762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public attitudes toward depression and help-seeking behaviour are important factors influencing depressed people to obtain professional help and adequate treatment. OSPI-Europe is a multi-level suicide prevention programme including a public awareness campaign. It was implemented in four regions of four European countries (Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Portugal). This paper reports the results of the evaluation of the campaign, including its visibility and effects of the campaign on stigma associated with depression and help-seeking behaviour. METHODS A representative general population survey (N=4004) including measures on personal stigma, perceived stigma, openness to help, perceived value of help, and socio-demographic variables was conducted in the four intervention and four control regions in a cross-sectional pre-post design. RESULTS The public awareness campaign was considerably more visible in Germany and Portugal compared to Ireland and Hungary. Visibility was further affected by age and years of schooling. Personal stigma, perceived stigma and openness toward professional help varied significantly across the four countries. Respondents in the intervention regions showed significantly less personal depression stigma than respondents in the control regions after the campaign. Respondents of the intervention region who were aware of the campaign reported more openness toward seeking professional help than respondents who were unaware of it. CONCLUSION The OSPI-Europe awareness campaign was visible and produced some positive results. At the same time, it proved to be difficult to show strong, measurable and unambiguous effects, which is in line with previous studies. Public awareness campaigns as conducted within OSPI-Europe can contribute to improved attitudes and knowledge about depression in the general public and produce synergistic effects, in particular when the dissemination of awareness campaign materials is simultaneously reinforced by other intervention levels of a multi-level intervention programme. LIMITATIONS The survey was cross-sectional and based on self-report, so no causal inferences could be drawn.
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Jung H, Park HA, Song TM. Ontology-Based Approach to Social Data Sentiment Analysis: Detection of Adolescent Depression Signals. J Med Internet Res 2017; 19:e259. [PMID: 28739560 PMCID: PMC5547245 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.7452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social networking services (SNSs) contain abundant information about the feelings, thoughts, interests, and patterns of behavior of adolescents that can be obtained by analyzing SNS postings. An ontology that expresses the shared concepts and their relationships in a specific field could be used as a semantic framework for social media data analytics. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to refine an adolescent depression ontology and terminology as a framework for analyzing social media data and to evaluate description logics between classes and the applicability of this ontology to sentiment analysis. METHODS The domain and scope of the ontology were defined using competency questions. The concepts constituting the ontology and terminology were collected from clinical practice guidelines, the literature, and social media postings on adolescent depression. Class concepts, their hierarchy, and the relationships among class concepts were defined. An internal structure of the ontology was designed using the entity-attribute-value (EAV) triplet data model, and superclasses of the ontology were aligned with the upper ontology. Description logics between classes were evaluated by mapping concepts extracted from the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) onto the ontology concepts derived from description logic queries. The applicability of the ontology was validated by examining the representability of 1358 sentiment phrases using the ontology EAV model and conducting sentiment analyses of social media data using ontology class concepts. RESULTS We developed an adolescent depression ontology that comprised 443 classes and 60 relationships among the classes; the terminology comprised 1682 synonyms of the 443 classes. In the description logics test, no error in relationships between classes was found, and about 89% (55/62) of the concepts cited in the answers to FAQs mapped onto the ontology class. Regarding applicability, the EAV triplet models of the ontology class represented about 91.4% of the sentiment phrases included in the sentiment dictionary. In the sentiment analyses, "academic stresses" and "suicide" contributed negatively to the sentiment of adolescent depression. CONCLUSIONS The ontology and terminology developed in this study provide a semantic foundation for analyzing social media data on adolescent depression. To be useful in social media data analysis, the ontology, especially the terminology, needs to be updated constantly to reflect rapidly changing terms used by adolescents in social media postings. In addition, more attributes and value sets reflecting depression-related sentiments should be added to the ontology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyesil Jung
- College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic Of Korea
| | - Hyeoun-Ae Park
- College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic Of Korea
| | - Tae-Min Song
- Department of Health Management, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic Of Korea
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25
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Tovilla-Zárate CA, Pool García S, Juárez-Rojop IE, González-Castro TB, López-Narváez L. Necessity of Internet regulation to prevent suicides in Mexico. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2017; 63:376-377. [PMID: 28351294 DOI: 10.1177/0020764017699852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Isela E Juárez-Rojop
- 3 División Académica de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, México
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26
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Villani M, Kovess-Masfety V. How Do People Experiencing Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders or Other Psychotic Disorders Use the Internet to Get Information on Their Mental Health? Literature Review and Recommendations. JMIR Ment Health 2017; 4:e1. [PMID: 28049620 PMCID: PMC5241504 DOI: 10.2196/mental.5946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies show that the Internet has become an influential source of information for people experiencing serious psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders or other psychotic disorders, among which the rate of Internet users is growing, with rates ranging from 33.3% to 79.5% given the country. Between 20.5% and 56.4% of these Internet users seek mental health information. OBJECTIVE Focusing on this population's Web searches about their mental health, this paper examines what type of content they look for and what could be the benefits and disadvantages of this navigation. METHODS We conducted a literature review through medical and psychological databases between 2000 and 2015 using the keywords "Internet," "Web," "virtual," "health information," "schizophrenia," "psychosis," "e-mental health," "e-support," and "telepsychiatry." RESULTS People experiencing schizophrenia spectrum disorders or other psychotic disorders wish to find on the Internet trustful, nonstigmatizing information about their disease, flexibility, security standards, and positive peer-to-peer exchanges. E-mental health also appears to be desired by a substantial proportion of them. In this field, the current developments towards intervention and early prevention in the areas of depression and bipolar and anxiety disorders become more and more operational for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic disorders as well. The many benefits of the Internet as a source of information and support, such as empowerment, enhancement of self-esteem, relief from peer information, better social interactions, and more available care, seem to outbalance the difficulties. CONCLUSIONS In this paper, after discussing the challenges related to the various aspects of the emergence of the Internet into the life of people experiencing schizophrenia spectrum disorders or other psychotic disorders, we will suggest areas of future research and practical recommendations for this major transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murielle Villani
- Fondation Pierre Deniker, Paris, France.,Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Descartes, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Viviane Kovess-Masfety
- Fondation Pierre Deniker, Paris, France.,Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Descartes, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.,École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique, Paris, France
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27
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Strale M, Krysinska K, Overmeiren GV, Andriessen K. Geographic distribution of suicide and railway suicide in Belgium, 2008-2013: a principal component analysis. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot 2016; 24:232-244. [PMID: 27094517 DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2016.1166140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the geographic distribution of suicide and railway suicide in Belgium over 2008--2013 on local (i.e., district or arrondissement) level. There were differences in the regional distribution of suicide and railway suicides in Belgium over the study period. Principal component analysis identified three groups of correlations among population variables and socio-economic indicators, such as population density, unemployment, and age group distribution, on two components that helped explaining the variance of railway suicide at a local (arrondissement) level. This information is of particular importance to prevent suicides in high-risk areas on the Belgian railway network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Strale
- a Institut de Gestion de l'Environnement et d'Aménagement du Territoire (IGEAT-ULB), Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels , Belgium
| | - Karolina Krysinska
- b Centre of Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention , Black Dog Institute , Sydney , Australia
| | | | - Karl Andriessen
- d School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales , Randwick , Australia.,e Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
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