Suicidal and help-seeking behavior in Xiamen, south China

Suicidality and psychological distress in adults aged 18 to 29 years in a population-based study in Finland

BACKGROUND

Suicidality is a major concern for young adults. We analyzed which specific items of psychological distress best predicted suicidality in a nationwide population-based sample of young adults.

METHODS

A random sample (n=1995) of adults aged 18 to 29 years living in Finland, was recruited to a health examination survey (Health 2011). We analyzed the total scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13) among the participants (n=837). We assigned the participants having suicidality on the basis of two direct self-harm items on a survey questionnaire, and analyzed which of the items of the GHQ-12 were significant predictors of suicidality.

RESULTS

The associations of the GHQ-12 items with suicidality were significant with the odds ratios ranging from 1.95 to 7.35. The strongest association of suicidality was with the item 11. In factor analysis, suicidality was loaded most strongly on the same factor together with the item 10.

LIMITATIONS

The definition of suicidality was based on two self-reported items.

CONCLUSIONS

Feeling oneself worthless was robustly associated with suicidality. It seems to be a strong predictor and could be used as a screening question for suicidality in clinical appointments.

Suicidality in relation to depressive symptoms and psychological distress in adults aged 30 to 101 years in a population-based study in Finland

BACKGROUND

Screening for suicidality has importance in terms of public health. We investigated which specific items of psychological distress best predicted suicidality in a population-based sample.

METHODS

A random sample of adults aged 30-101 years, being representative of the general population living in Finland, attended a health examination survey (Health 2011). We analyzed (n = 4373) the total scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13), as well as alcohol use, depressive and anxiety disorders as assessed with the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI) among the participants. We assigned the participants having suicidality on the basis of the self-harm item on the BDI-13, and analyzed which of the items of the GHQ-12 were significant predictors of suicidality.

RESULTS

After adjusting for background variables, five items of the GHQ-12 remained as significant predictors for suicidality: items 11, 9, 4, 6, and 5 in this descending order.

LIMITATIONS

The definition of suicidality was based on only a single item of the BDI-13.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain items of the GHQ-12 demonstrated strong associations with suicidality, and the GHQ-12 or a brief version of it might be used as a screening instrument for suicidality.

Do individuals follow up with mental health services after a suicide attempt? Findings from the assertive management of attempted suicide service, Bengaluru, India

OBJECTIVE

There is limited information from India on whether individuals follow up with mental health services after a suicide attempt. The objective of this study was to determine follow-up rates after a suicide attempt with mental health services of those individuals treated as part of the assertive management of attempted suicide service in a general hospital in Bengaluru, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records from 284 persons from January 2016 to December 2016 were analyzed to ascertain their follow-up rates with mental health services after a suicide attempt.

RESULTS

After discharge, 25% individuals followed up on a single occasion with mental health services. Individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis were significantly more likely to follow up with mental health services as compared to those without a psychiatric diagnosis (P < 0.011, odds ratio: 2.875, confidence interval at 95%: 1.276-6.481). 90.8% were contacted through telephone as part of aftercare.

CONCLUSIONS

Most individuals in India, especially those without a psychiatric diagnosis, do not follow up with mental health services after a suicide attempt. Periodic telephonic contacts are a useful aftercare strategy to reach out to this high-risk population. Limitation of this study is that findings are from an urban general hospital setting.

Too strong? Barriers from getting support before a suicide attempt in Lithuania

The study aimed to understand the tendencies of help seeking before a suicide attempt in Lithuania. An analysis of interviews with 21 Lithuanian adults demonstrated strong avoidance of seeking help. The main reasons for avoidance included a lack of trust in other people, thinking that one must solve problems independently without sharing them, avoiding troubling others, and a belief that showing genuine emotions is a sign of weakness. These findings may contribute to suicide prevention by more deeply understanding the barriers to help seeking among high suicide risk groups, particularly in countries with a traumatic historical experience.