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Rahman Khan A, Shimul SMAK. Men's Suicide in Bangladesh: Impressions From the Socio-Ecological System Theory. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024:302228241257135. [PMID: 38776182 DOI: 10.1177/00302228241257135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Suicide is a multilayered social behaviour containing overlapping components from individual to social spheres. This article discusses the findings of the context of male suicide in Bangladesh based on Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological theory. The socio-ecological perspective allows to determine the risk factors of suicide at multiple levels. Fifteen male suicide cases were purposively selected from several rural areas of the Jhenaidah district which is known for high rates of suicide. Qualitative in-depth interviews (three for each case) with persons who are significant others to the deceased delineate the interactive context of suicide. While the analysis deductively hinges on four major themes (e.g., individual/micro, interpersonal/meso, community/exo, and societal/macro factors) in consonance with socio-ecological theory, ten sub-themes were inductively identified from the intriguing meanings of the interviews. Considering the integrative nature of suicide, the study underscores the necessity to introduce a multi-sectoral approach to effectively prevent suicide in Bangladesh.
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Hofmann L, Wagner B. Men's Behavior and Communication in the Days Prior to a Suicide-A Psychological Autopsy Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6668. [PMID: 37681808 PMCID: PMC10488060 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Men show a significantly higher suicide rate, are less often recognized as persons at risk, and are more difficult to reach for suicide prevention interventions. Warning signs and deterioration in mental health are often not recognized by their surroundings. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the behavior and communication of men before a suicide, how relatives noticed changes, and how the interaction was perceived. N = 15 individuals who lost a close male relative to suicide were interviewed using psychological autopsy interviews. The interviews were evaluated following a deductive-inductive approach while using a comprehensive category system. The majority of men showed changes in behavior before the suicide, especially social withdrawal, irritability, and generally a deterioration in mental health. In fact, men did communicate their suicidal thoughts before they died through suicide, but mainly indirectly. While only one-third of the deceased made preparations before suicide, the majority of relatives noticed a deterioration in the mental health of the individual as well as increased alcohol and substance use. Men show signs of suicide, which are little recognized by their surroundings. Suicide prevention interventions should be adapted more to the needs of men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hofmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical School Berlin, 14197 Berlin, Germany;
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Balt E, Mérelle S, Robinson J, Popma A, Creemers D, van den Brand I, van Bergen D, Rasing S, Mulder W, Gilissen R. Social media use of adolescents who died by suicide: lessons from a psychological autopsy study. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:48. [PMID: 37029395 PMCID: PMC10082488 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00597-9] [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] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND while there are many benefits for young people to use social media, adverse effects such as cyberbullying, online challenges, social comparison and imitation may provoke and aggravate suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The influence of social media on mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviours has been amply studied, but there is little empirical evidence for its potential role in adolescent suicides. The current study aimed to inform digital suicide prevention strategies by examining the meaning of social media in the lives of young suicide victims and elucidating the harmful and supportive effects of social media use on their wellbeing and distress. METHODS data were analyzed from a psychological autopsy study of 35 adolescents who died by suicide in the Netherlands (43% of all adolescents who died by suicide in that year). These were 18 girls and 17 boys. All were under the age of twenty years, with an average of seventeen years. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was performed of 55 semi structured interviews with peers and parents of the decedents. RESULTS young people benefitted from peer support and recovery stories. However, various themes were discussed relating to the harmful effects of social media, including dependency, triggers and imitation, challenges, cybervictimization and psychological entrapment. The themes of dependency and triggers and imitation were more salient in young females. A group of girls cultivated an online identity around their suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Next-of-kin, particularly parents, faced various challenges to talk to the adolescents about social media use, including technological illiteracy, online anonymity, and the youths' closedness. CONCLUSIONS based on the findings, we recommend education to stimulate the digital literacy of parents, health workers and educators, supporting conscientious social media use in young people, and extending the prevention of cyberbullying. We encourage future research to examine how virtual social networks may sustain suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and to further investigate the effectiveness of digital interventions, like moderated peer support and the use of positive role models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Balt
- Research department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Saskia Mérelle
- Research department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jo Robinson
- Orygen, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, Vic, 3052, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Arne Popma
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (AUMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daan Creemers
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, GGZ Oost Brabant, Boekel, the Netherlands
| | - Isa van den Brand
- Research department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Diana van Bergen
- Department of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne Rasing
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, GGZ Oost Brabant, Boekel, the Netherlands
| | - Wico Mulder
- Youth healthcare, Dutch Centre for Youth Health (NCJ), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske Gilissen
- Research department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Søndergaard R, Buus N, Berring LL, Andersen CB, Grundahl M, Stjernegaard K, Hybholt L. Living with suicidal thoughts: A scoping review. Scand J Caring Sci 2023; 37:60-78. [PMID: 36527267 DOI: 10.1111/scs.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a significantly higher number of people experiencing severe levels of suicidal thoughts compared to that of suicidal deaths and suicide attempts. In suicide prevention research, there is a shift towards greater emphasis on people's experiences of living with suicidal thoughts. This can expand the existing evidence base, which is dominated by a biomedical approach. The aim of this review was to summarise and disseminate existing research on the lived experiences of living with suicidal thoughts. METHODS A scoping review by Arksey & O'Malley consisting of six stages: (1) formulating the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) selecting studies, (4) mapping data, (5) summarising the results and (6) consulting stakeholders. PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL were searched for studies in English, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian. Peer-reviewed articles examining people's experiences of living with suicidal thoughts using qualitative methods were included. The search was supplemented with a citation pearl search in the Web of Science database. Twenty-eight studies were included. RESULTS The findings were organised under two thematic headings: (a) the significance of social connections and (b) a loss of the personal self. CONCLUSION There is a need for further qualitative research of people's experiences of living with suicidal thoughts from an everyday life perspective. Awareness about social connections and attachment in mental health prevention and governance is crucial. Trauma-informed care could be a useful approach to prevent suicidal thoughts as the review found that many participants had traumatic experiences in both childhood and adulthood. As part of the treatment of suicidal thoughts, it might be useful to have a focus on narrative and communicative methods and their clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Søndergaard
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Niels Buus
- Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lene Lauge Berring
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Karina Stjernegaard
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,PsykInfo, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Hybholt
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark.,Research Unit, Mental Health Services East, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
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Beniwal RP, Shrivastava MK, Gupta V, Sharma V, Sharma S, Kumari S, Bhatia T, Deshpande SN. Why Do People Live or Die? A Retrospective Study from a Crisis Intervention Clinic in North India. Indian J Psychol Med 2022; 44:17-21. [PMID: 35509647 PMCID: PMC9022914 DOI: 10.1177/02537176211022508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide results from complex interactions of various risk factors-reasons for dying (RFD)-and protective factors-reasons for living (RFL). Suicide is not necessarily a wish to die but may be an appeal for help. We analyzed RFD and RFL in persons who had attempted suicide, through their clinical records at a Crisis Intervention Clinic (CIC). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed demographic and clinical data, and classified RFD and RFL, among patients with either ideas or attempt of suicide registered at our CIC (N = 83). Using two open-ended questions from the clinical history data, we derived their RFD or RFL; (n = 53) completed these questions regarding RFD-RFL. RESULTS In the total sample, males and females were equally represented and educated, but males were significantly older. Most common diagnosis was nonpsychotic mood disorder. Commonest mode of suicide attempt was hanging. Family conflict vs. family responsibility, hope vs. hopelessness, stressful life events, and negative cognitions about the self and the world were important RFD. RFL included feeling responsible, love for family and for self, hope, career success, and religious beliefs. CONCLUSION RFD and RFL could both be grouped in similar categories related to family, career, hope, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Pratap Beniwal
- Dept. of Psychiatry and De-addiction, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Manohar Kant Shrivastava
- Dept. of Psychiatry and De-addiction, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Varsha Gupta
- Dept. of Psychiatry and De-addiction, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikas Sharma
- Dept. of Psychiatry and De-addiction, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Satyam Sharma
- Dept. of Psychology, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sunita Kumari
- Dept. of Psychiatric Social Work, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Triptish Bhatia
- Dept. of Psychology, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Smita N Deshpande
- Dept. of Psychiatry and De-addiction, Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, ABVIMS-Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, India
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Saini P, Chopra J, Hanlon CA, Boland JE. A Case Series Study of Help-Seeking among Younger and Older Men in Suicidal Crisis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147319. [PMID: 34299773 PMCID: PMC8307966 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Due to the continuing high suicide rates among young men, there is a need to understand help-seeking behaviour and engagement with tailored suicide prevention interventions. The aim of this study was to compare help-seeking among younger and older men who attended a therapeutic centre for men in a suicidal crisis. In this case series study, data were collected from 546 men who were referred into a community-based therapeutic service in North West England. Of the 546 men, 337 (52%) received therapy; 161 (48%) were aged between 18 and 30 years (mean age 24 years, SD = 3.4). Analyses included baseline differences, symptom trajectories for the CORE-34 Clinical Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), and engagement with the therapy. For the CORE-OM, there was a clinically significant reduction in mean scores between assessment and discharge (p < 0.001) for both younger and older men. At initial assessment, younger men were less affected by entrapment (46% vs. 62%; p = 0.02), defeat (33% vs. 52%; p = 0.01), not engaging in new goals (38% vs. 47%; p = 0.02), and positive attitudes towards suicide (14% vs. 18%; p = 0.001) than older men. At discharge assessment, older men were significantly more likely to have an absence of positive future thinking (15% vs. 8%; p = 0.03), have less social support (45% vs. 33%; p = 0.02), and feelings of entrapment (17% vs. 14%; p = 0.02) than younger men. Future research needs to assess the long-term effects of help-seeking using a brief psychological intervention for young men in order to understand whether the effects of the therapy are sustainable over a period of time following discharge from the service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Saini
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (J.C.); (C.A.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-151-231-8121
| | - Jennifer Chopra
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (J.C.); (C.A.H.)
| | - Claire A. Hanlon
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (J.C.); (C.A.H.)
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Seidler ZE, Wilson MJ, Oliffe JL, Kealy D, Toogood N, Ogrodniczuk JS, Rice SM. "Eventually, I Admitted, 'I Cannot Do This Alone'": Exploring Experiences of Suicidality and Help-Seeking Drivers Among Australian Men. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2021; 6:727069. [PMID: 34660775 PMCID: PMC8517224 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2021.727069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
While research has explored the intersection between masculinities and men's experiences of suicidality, comparatively little attention has been paid to the stories surrounding suicidal men's decision to seek help. The ways in which men experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors embody masculinities alongside their enlistment of mental health services remains largely unknown. The present study explored 262 Australian men's stories surrounding the impetus for help-seeking for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The sample comprised men ranging in age from 17 to 74 years (M = 40.99; SD = 15.92 years), with most participants residing in a metropolitan area (55.3%), employed full time (43.1%), non-indigenous (95.4%) and heterosexual (73.7%). Participants elaborated on their reasons for help-seeking via an open-text qualitative survey, delivered as part of a larger study exploring help-seeking experiences of Australian men. Thematic analysis of responses generated four themes highlighting the diversity of experience across men, with some highlighting impacts of emasculating early trauma(s) on their suicidality, while others reflected an impulsiveness tied to situational stressors that fractured their masculine identity (e.g., relationship breakdown; job loss). Many men had epiphanies as they reached the limits of their self-reliance and came to terms with their need for help. As their suicidality was witnessed by-and began to impact-those around them, the sight of their previously masked pain by others often facilitated their help-seeking journey. The present findings underscore the complex and multifactorial role of masculinities in men's suicidality and their paths to help-seeking. Important inroads for future public mental health promotion efforts are discussed, in terms of leveraging self-reliant and caring masculinities in helping men to develop healthy coping in the context of suicidality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zac E. Seidler
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Movember, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Zac E. Seidler,
| | - Michael J. Wilson
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John L. Oliffe
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Kealy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nicholas Toogood
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John S. Ogrodniczuk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Simon M. Rice
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Characteristics associated with later self-harm hospitalization and/or suicide: A follow-up study of the HUNT-2 cohort, Norway. J Affect Disord 2020; 276:369-379. [PMID: 32871667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To improve suicide and self-harm prevention in adults, better knowledge on preexisting characteristics and risk factors is of great importance. METHODS This is a population-based case-control study; baseline measures were collected in the second wave of the North-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT-2, 1995-1997) in Norway, and outcomes were observed for up to 19 years. Average follow up time was 4.9 years for self-harm and 6.8 years for suicides. Out of 93,898 eligible adult inhabitants aged 20 and above, a total of 65,229 (70%) participated in the study. The data were linked to the National Mortality Registry and hospital patient records in the three hospitals covering the HUNT-2 catchment area. RESULTS Among the participants, 332 patients (68% women) were hospitalized because of self-harm (HSH), and 91 patients (32% women) were died by suicide (SU). A total of 10% of those who died by SU had previously been HSH. People in the HSH and SU groups were younger, reported more depression and anxiety symptoms, sleeping problems, higher use of alcohol and tobacco, poorer social network and more economic problems, compared to the rest of the HUNT-2 population. In addition, the HSH group reported more somatic health problems, higher use of health services, higher sick leave, and lower work participation than the SU group. LIMITATIONS Younger adults (20-40 years) were under-represented in HUNT-2. Younger adults (20-40 years) were constituted 31.7% in HUNT-2, 50% in HSH and 33% in SU. Further, we did not identify less severe self-harm, not requiring hospitalization. Life changes, adverse events, and other possible triggers to self-harming behavior were not recorded. CONCLUSION Psychological problems were long-term predictors of both HSH and SU. Somatic health problems and lower functional performance were more present in HSH-group compared to the SU-group.
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Khan AR, Ratele K, Helman R, Dlamini S, Makama R. Masculinity and Suicide in Bangladesh. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2020; 86:218-240. [PMID: 33076754 DOI: 10.1177/0030222820966239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Suicide is a serious but under-researched public health problem in Bangladesh. In light of this, we sought to explore the association between masculinities and suicide. We interviewed 20 family members/friends of men who died by suicide across 12 rural areas of the Jhenaidah district, Bangladesh. We found that male suicide was attributed to men's inability to fulfil hegemonic masculine demands such as financial provision and meeting the sexual needs of their spouses. Suicide was also linked to men's loss of self-respect and respect from others. Some participants mentioned that men committed suicide as an act of self-sacrifice, while others cited mental and physical illness. As a result of these findings, we propose that addressing socio-cultural and religious issues associated with men's troubles may help to prevent suicide. At the same time, changing the restrictive gender roles and masculinity-related ideals is also needed to counter the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kopano Ratele
- Masculinity and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council-University of South Africa/Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rebecca Helman
- Masculinity and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council-University of South Africa/Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sipho Dlamini
- Masculinity and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council-University of South Africa/Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Refiloe Makama
- Masculinity and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council-University of South Africa/Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
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Mérelle S, Van Bergen D, Looijmans M, Balt E, Rasing S, van Domburgh L, Nauta M, Sijperda O, Mulder W, Gilissen R, Franx G, Creemers D, Popma A. A multi-method psychological autopsy study on youth suicides in the Netherlands in 2017: Feasibility, main outcomes, and recommendations. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238031. [PMID: 32853213 PMCID: PMC7451645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the Netherlands, there was a sharp increase in the number of suicides among 10- to 19-year-olds in 2017. A multi-method psychological autopsy study (PA) was conducted to assess feasibility, identify related factors, and study the interplay of these factors to inform suicide prevention strategies. METHODS Coroners identified youth suicides in 2017 in their records and then general practitioners (GPs) contacted the parents of these youths. Over a period of 7 months, 66 qualitative interviews were held with the parents, peers, and teachers, providing information on precipitating factors and five topics involving 35 cases (17 boys and 18 girls, mean age 17 years). Furthermore, 43 parents and care professionals filled in questionnaires to examine risk and care-related factors. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. RESULTS Although registration problems faced by coroners and resistance to contacting bereaved families by GPs hampered the recruitment, most parents highly appreciated being interviewed. Several adverse childhood experiences played a role at an individual level, such as (cyber) bullying, parental divorce, sexual abuse, as well as complex mental disorders, and previous suicide attempts. Two specific patterns stood out: (1) girls characterized by insecurity and a perfectionist attitude, who developed psychopathology and dropped out of school, and (2) boys with a developmental disorder, such as autism, who were transferred to special needs education and therefore felt rejected. In addition, adolescents with complex problems had difficulty finding appropriate formal care. Regarding potential new trends, contagion effects of social media use in a clinical setting and internet use for searching lethal methods were found. CONCLUSION This first national PA study showed that, as expected, a variety of mostly complex clusters of problems played a role in youth suicides. An infrastructure is needed to continuously monitor, evaluate, and support families after each youth suicide and thereby improve prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Mérelle
- Research Department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Van Bergen
- Research Department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Milou Looijmans
- Research Department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elias Balt
- Research Department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Rasing
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, GGZ Oost Brabant, Boekel, The Netherlands
- Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lieke van Domburgh
- Quality of Care & Innovation, Pluryn, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike Nauta
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Onno Sijperda
- Forensic department, GGD Noord- en Oost-Gelderland, Warnsveld, The Netherlands
| | - Wico Mulder
- Youth healthcare, Dutch Centre for Youth Health (NCJ), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske Gilissen
- Research Department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerdien Franx
- Research Department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daan Creemers
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, GGZ Oost Brabant, Boekel, The Netherlands
- Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Popma
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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