Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among refugees: a meta-analysis

Availability and quality of data related to cultural and linguistic diversity in the Victorian Suicide Register: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

While people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds have been identified as a priority for suicide prevention in Australia, little is known about suicide in CALD communities. We aim to describe the availability and quality of CALD data in the Victorian Suicide Register (VSR).

METHODS

A retrospective consecutive case series review of suicides reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria during 2016 was conducted. Using the VSR, we identify suicides showing evidence of CALD identity and relevant variables were extracted and coded according to an adapted Australian Institute of Health and Welfare framework.

RESULTS

During 2016, 126 of 652 suicides (19.3%, 95% confidence intervals 16.4-22.6) were flagged as showing evidence of CALD. The two most frequent CALD indicators for which information was recorded were country of birth and year of arrival. There was less information pertaining to citizenship, residency/visa status, preferred language, English language proficiency and religious affiliation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the VSR, like other databases, has substantial gaps in availability and quality of CALD data.

IMPLICATIONS

A framework to capture richer data on cultural, religious and linguistic diversity when coding suicides is needed to inform policy on suicide prevention initiatives designed for CALD communities.

Validation of the Farsi version of the Suicide Ideation and Behavior Scale

Objective

Suicide ideation and suicide attempts are prevalent in Farsi speaking populations. The present study aimed at validating the Farsi version of the Suicide Ideation and Behavior Scale (SIBS).

Methods

Reliability and validity of the Farsi version of the SIBS were established in a highly burdened Afghan student sample (N = 279). Internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity were investigated, and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted.

Results

The Farsi version of the SIBS was shown to have a unidimensional structure with excellent internal consistency, as well as good convergent and divergent validity.

Discussion

The results suggest that the SIBS is a brief, reliable, and valid measure of current suicidal ideation and behavior that can be used in Farsi speaking populations.

Suicide in Global Mental Health

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review recent research on the epidemiology and etiology of suicide in the global context. We focus on data from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), with the goal of highlighting findings from these under-researched, over-burdened settings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Prevalence of suicide in LMIC adults varies across region and country income-level, but is, on average, lower than in high-income countries. Recent gains in suicide reduction, however, have been smaller in LMIC compared to global rates. LMIC youth have much higher rates of suicide attempts than youth from high-income countries. Females as well as people with psychiatric disorders, those living with HIV, those who are LGBTQ + , and those with poor socioeconomic status are highly vulnerable populations in LMIC. Limited and low-quality data from LMIC hinder clear interpretation and comparison of results. A greater body of more rigorous research is needed to understand and prevent suicide in these settings.

It is time to think about refugees' mental health: The case of Dzaleka Refugee Camp - Malawi

Refugees are individuals who live outside of their country and are at increased risk of mental health problems. Even though many papers assessed Refugees' mental health, few intended to evaluate in remote areas, such as refugee camps. On this study we assessed 102 individuals who lives in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp - Malawi. We found 78% of individuals with probable depression, 53% with thoughts about death, 25.5% with suicidal plans, and 15% reporting having attempted suicide in the 12 months prior to the assessment. This data points out to an urgent political mobilization to promote mental health to this vulnerable population.