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Treloar A. The therapeutic use of postcards in a mental health support group. Australas Psychiatry 2015; 23:274-6. [PMID: 25944763 DOI: 10.1177/1039856215584515] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this project was to provide some group support for mental health patients in a general practice that employed a Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program nurse. METHOD Group members were involved in the development of the group and in the setting of its rules and goals. Postcards were used to invite members to each meeting. RESULTS No ill effects resulted from the use of postcards and they served as a valued way to recognize individuals within the group. CONCLUSION This use of postcards proved therapeutic in unexpected ways and was very well accepted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Treloar
- Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) Nurse at Integral Health Armidale, NSW, Australia
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Gunnell D, Hawton K, Bennewith O, Cooper J, Simkin S, Donovan J, Evans J, Longson D, O'Connor S, Kapur N. A multicentre programme of clinical and public health research in support of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. PROGRAMME GRANTS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.3310/pgfar01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
ObjectivesTo carry out a programme of linked research studies aimed at improving the management of self-harm, reducing the incidence of suicide and providing reliable data to evaluate the impact of theNational Suicide Prevention Strategy for England(2002).MethodsThere were four research streams: (1) we studied inquest records from 12 coroners and Ministry of Justice data to assess the accuracy of official suicide statistics; (2) we used Office for National Statistics mortality statistics, data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England, national liver unit data, prescription data and patient interviews to assess (a) the impact of paracetamol (acetaminophen) pack size restrictions (1998), (b) the impact of withdrawal of co-proxamol in 2007 and (c) the relative toxicity in overdose of commonly used antidepressants; (3) we carried out 3-month audits of self-harm management in 32 hospitals to investigate variations between hospitals and the impact of management on repeat self-harm; and (4) we developed and piloted letter-based contact interventions aimed at reducing self-harm.Key findings(1) Between 1990 and 2005, the proportion of researcher-defined suicides given a verdict of suicide by the 12 coroners studied decreased by almost 7%, largely because of the increased use of misadventure/accident verdicts for deaths thought, on clinical review, to be suicides. Use of narrative verdicts increased markedly. Coroners who gave more narrative verdicts also gave fewer suicide verdicts, and geographical variations in the use of narrative verdicts appeared to distort reliable assessment of small-area differences in suicide rates. 2(a) UK legislation to reduce pack sizes of paracetamol was followed by a 43% reduction in number of deaths and a 61% reduction in registrations for liver transplantation over the next 11 years. Paracetamol overdoses were often impulsive and some were influenced by media (including the internet); sales outlets appeared mostly to be adhering to sales guidance. Smaller pack sizes of paracetamol for sale in Ireland compared with England did not result in a smaller number of tablets being taken in overdose. There was no clear evidence of an effect of the legislation on prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, nor on resulting gastrointestinal bleeds. 2(b) Withdrawal of co-proxamol from use in the UK resulted in approximately 600 fewer deaths than predicted between 2005 and 2010 based on previous trends, with no evidence of substitution by poisoning with other analgesics. 2(c) Of the tricyclic antidepressants, dosulepin and doxepin had the greatest toxicity. Citalopram was more toxic than other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. (3) There was marked variation between hospitals in the management of self-harm; effects of this variation on patient outcomes were unclear, although psychosocial assessment may have been associated with reduced repetition. Levels of specialist assessment remained static between 2001–2 and 2010–11, but service quality appeared to improve. (4) Findings of two pilot randomised controlled trials suggested that, although it would be feasible to scale up these interventions to full trials, these interventions might have low generalisability and be of limited benefit to patients.ConclusionWithin the context of the strengths and limitations of the individual studies, this research programme has made significant additions to the evidence base related to suicide and self-harm prevention in the UK.Study registrationA pilot study of a contact and information based intervention to reduce repeat self-harm; ISRCTN65171515.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gunnell
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - K Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - O Bennewith
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - J Cooper
- Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - S Simkin
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - J Donovan
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - J Evans
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Chippenham, UK
| | - D Longson
- Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - S O'Connor
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Chippenham, UK
| | - N Kapur
- Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester, UK
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Kapur N, Gunnell D, Hawton K, Nadeem S, Khalil S, Longson D, Jordan R, Donaldson I, Emsley R, Cooper J. Messages from Manchester: pilot randomised controlled trial following self-harm. Br J Psychiatry 2013; 203:73-4. [PMID: 23818535 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.113.126425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Studies of therapeutic contact following self-harm have had mixed results. We carried out a pilot randomised controlled trial comparing an intervention (information leaflet listing sources of help, two telephone calls soon after presentation and a series of letters over 12 months) to usual treatment alone in 66 adults presenting with self-harm to two hospitals. We found that our methodology was feasible, recruitment was challenging and repeat self-harm was more common in those who received the intervention (12-month repetition rate 34.4% v. 12.5%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Navneet Kapur
- University of Manchester, Centre for Suicide Prevention, Centre for Mental Health and Risk, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL.
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Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Sarjami S, Kolahi AA, Carter GL. Postcards in Persia: randomised controlled trial to reduce suicidal behaviours 12 months after hospital-treated self-poisoning. Br J Psychiatry 2011; 198:309-16. [PMID: 21343332 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.067199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital-treated self-poisoning is common, with limited effective interventions for reducing subsequent suicidal behaviour. AIMS To test the efficacy of a postcard intervention to reduce suicidal behaviour. METHOD Randomised controlled trial of individuals who self-poisoned (n = 2300), the intervention consisted of nine postcards sent over 12 months versus usual treatment. Outcomes assessed at 12 months (n = 2113) were suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and self-cutting (proportion and event rates). RESULTS There was a significant reduction in any suicidal ideation (relative risk reduction (RRR) = 0.31, 95% CI 0.22-0.38), any suicide attempt (RRR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.11-0.63) and number of attempts (incidence rate ratios (IRR) = 0.64, 95% CI 0.42-0.97). There was no significant reduction in any self-cutting (RRR = 0.14, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.42) or self-cutting events (IRR = 1.03 95% CI 0.76-1.39). CONCLUSIONS A postcard intervention reduced suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a non-Western population. Sustained, brief contact by mail may reduce suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in individuals who self-poison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University MC, Tehran, Iran.
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Krysinska KE, De Leo D. Telecommunication and suicide prevention: hopes and challenges for the new century. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2008; 55:237-53. [PMID: 18214070 DOI: 10.2190/om.55.3.e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Development of information technology has created new opportunities and challenges in suicide prevention, research, and clinical practice. This article presents an overview of the wide range of telecommunication-based suicide prevention approaches. Interventions using the Internet, telephone, and videoconferencing are discussed, including crisis intervention, referral, and support, suicide risk assessment, psychotherapy for individuals at risk, and online-based suicide prevention training and education. Research regarding effectiveness of telecommunication-based suicide prevention in various demographic and clinical populations is reviewed, as well as concerns regarding this type of intervention. Future areas of research and development in the use of telecommunication media in prevention of suicide are discussed.
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