A Shortened Screener Version of the Cultural Assessment of Risk for Suicide

A Trauma- and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)-Informed Approach to Suicide Prevention in School: Black Boys' Lives Matter

Black boys have been dying by suicide at an increasing rate. Although the reasons for this increase are unknown, suicide in Black boys is likely influenced by multiple, intersecting risk factors, including historical and ongoing trauma. Schools can serve as an important mechanism of support for Black boys; however, without intentional anti-racist frameworks that acknowledge how intersecting identities can exacerbate risk for suicide, schools can overlook opportunities for care and perpetuate a cycle of racism that compromises the mental health of Black youth. By recognizing their own implicit biases, modeling anti-racist practices, listening to and recognizing the strengths and diversity of Black youth, and fostering school-family-community partnerships, school psychologists can help transform the school environment to be a safe and culturally affirming place for Black youth. This paper outlines how school psychologists can apply a trauma- and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)-informed approach to suicide prevention in order to more holistically support Black boys, disrupt patterns of aggressive disciplinary procedures, and improve school-based suicide prevention programs. By applying this lens across a multitiered systems of support (MTSS) framework, school psychologists can help to prevent the deaths of Black boys and begin to prioritize the lives of Black boys.

Suicide on college campuses: a public health framework and case illustration

Suicide-related behavior (SRB) is a growing mental health concern on college campuses. We argue that causes of this rising trend go beyond student stress, to include outdated campus policies, overburdened counseling center staffing, and untapped targets for prevention efforts. We outline the social-ecological model applied to suicide and related public health problems. Such a viewpoint provides an example road map to redress suicide and related risk factors (e.g., violence, substance abuse) through multiple levels of prevention-focused programing. Using our SAMHSA-funded campus suicide prevention programmatic approach as a case illustration, we proffer lessons and guidelines for the implementation of a social-ecological suicide prevention program (SESPP). Emphasis is placed on review of evidence-informed prevention programs, utilization of interdisciplinary prevention teams, need for rigorous program evaluation, and consideration of the unique demography of each campus.

The desire to be dead among Bhutanese refugees resettled in the United States: Assessing risk

Bhutanese refugees are at elevated risk for suicide, but culturally inflexible suicide risk models may hinder accurate risk detection in this population. This cross-sectional study aimed to use a theoretical model based on the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide and the cultural model of suicide to improve suicide risk-assessment among Bhutanese refugees. Participants included 60 Bhutanese refugees (31 males and 29 females), aged 18 to 65, resettled in Vermont. Suicidal ideation (n = 4, 6.7%) was low, but a substantial minority (n = 29, 48.3%) endorsed some desire to be dead. Perceived burdensomeness, but not thwarted belongingness, was significantly associated with both suicidal ideation and the desire to be dead. Neither desire to be dead nor suicidal ideation was significantly related to suicide attempt history. Results highlight that including assessments of desire to be dead in addition to assessments of suicidal ideation may address the problem of underidentification of Bhutanese refugees at risk for suicidal behavior, particularly those who do not present with suicidal ideation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior among Bhutanese Refugees Resettled in the United States

Suicidal behavior and death by suicide are significant and pressing problems in the Bhutanese refugee community. Currently, Bhutanese refugees are dying by suicide at a rate nearly two times that of the general U.S. population. Proper identification of risk factors for suicide saves lives; however, if risk is underestimated due to culturally inflexible risk assessments, preventable deaths may continue to occur. In this review, we examine specific cultural factors related to psychopathology and suicide among Bhutanese refugees. To contextualize the current suicide crisis among Bhutanese refugees, we propose an integration of the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide (Joiner, 2005) and the cultural model of suicide (Chu, Goldblum, Floyd, & Bongar, 2010). We provide recommendations for preventing suicide from a systems framework and discuss practical lessons from a preliminary study designed to test a culturally-responsive model of suicide in Bhutanese refugees.