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Skinner A, Occhipinti JA, Song YJC, Scott EM, Hickie IB. Dynamic modelling of the impact of community-based acute mental health services for children and adolescents. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2023; 57:1562-1569. [PMID: 37641519 PMCID: PMC10666480 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231195555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential impact of the recently announced 'Safeguards' initiative on mental health-related emergency department presentation rates for children and adolescents (0-17 years). This state-funded initiative aims to establish 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams across New South Wales. METHODS We estimated the effects of the 'Safeguards' initiative using a state-level dynamic model of child and adolescent acute mental health care. Potential reductions in total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations (i.e. presentations within 3 months of an initial presentation) were assessed via a series of simulation experiments in which we systematically varied the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams and the mean duration of care per patient. RESULTS Assuming a mean treatment duration of 6 weeks per patient, 25 Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams are projected to reduce total numbers of mental health-related emergency department presentations and re-presentations over the period 2022-2031 by 15.0% (95% interval, 12.0-18.2%) and 31.7% (26.2-37.8%), respectively. Increasing the total number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams above 25 has minimal additional impact on projected reductions in numbers of emergency department presentations and re-presentations, provided the mean duration of care is no more than 8 weeks. However, where the mean duration of care is greater than 4 weeks, a decrease in the number of Child and Adolescent Acute Response Teams below 25 reduces the potential effectiveness of the 'Safeguards' initiative significantly. CONCLUSION Our simulation results indicate that full and timely implementation will be critical if the potentially substantial impact of the 'Safeguards' initiative on demand for hospital-based emergency mental health care is to be realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Skinner
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Jo-An Occhipinti
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Computer Simulation & Advanced Research Technologies (CSART), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yun Ju Christine Song
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth M Scott
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian B Hickie
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Michail M, Robinson J, Witt K, Occhipinti JA, Skinner A, Lamblin M, Veresova M, Kartal D, Waring J. Which programmes and policies across health and community settings will generate the most significant impacts for youth suicide prevention in Australia and the UK? Protocol for a systems modelling and simulation study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071111. [PMID: 37580093 PMCID: PMC10432673 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suicide is a leading cause of mortality among young people aged 15-24 globally. Despite the deployment of comprehensive suicide prevention strategies, we still do not know which interventions, for which groups of young people, for how long and with what intensity could generate the most significant reductions in suicide rates. System dynamics modelling has the potential to address these gaps. SEYMOUR (System Dynamics Modelling for Suicide Prevention) will develop and evaluate a system dynamics model that will indicate which suicide prevention interventions could generate the most significant reductions in rates of suicide and attempted suicide among young people aged 12-25 in Australia and the UK. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A comparative case study design, applying participatory system dynamics modelling in North-West Melbourne (Australia) and Birmingham (UK). A computer simulation model of mental health service pathways and suicidal behaviour among young people in North-West Melbourne will be developed through three workshops with expert stakeholder groups (young people with lived experience, carers, clinicians, policy makers, commissioners). The model will be calibrated and validated using national, state and local datasets (inputs). The simulation model will test a series of interventions identified in the workshops for inclusion. Primary model outputs include suicide deaths, self-harm hospitalisations and self-harm presentations to emergency departments. An implementation strategy for the sustainable embedding of promising suicide prevention interventions will be developed. This will be followed by model customisation, re-parameterisation, and validation in Birmingham and adaptation of the implementation strategy. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The project has received approval from the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (2022-22885-25971-4), the University of Birmingham Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Ethics Review Committee (ERN_21-02385) and the UK HRA (22/HRA/3826). SEYMOUR's dissemination strategy includes open-access academic publications, conference presentations, accessible findings coproduced with young people, e-briefs to policy makers, webinars for service providers and commissioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Michail
- School of Psychology, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jo Robinson
- Orygen The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina Witt
- Orygen The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jo-An Occhipinti
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Computer Simulation & Advanced Research Technologies (CSART), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Skinner
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Lamblin
- Orygen The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria Veresova
- Orygen The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dzenana Kartal
- Orygen The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Justin Waring
- School of Social Policy, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Skinner A, Osgood ND, Occhipinti JA, Song YJC, Hickie IB. Unemployment and underemployment are causes of suicide. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg3758. [PMID: 37436996 PMCID: PMC10337900 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg3758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies indicate that labor underutilization and suicide are associated, yet it remains unclear whether this association is causal. We applied convergent cross mapping to test for causal effects of unemployment and underemployment on suicidal behavior, using monthly data on labor underutilization and suicide rates in Australia for the period 2004-2016. Our analyses provide evidence that rates of unemployment and underemployment were significant drivers of suicide mortality in Australia over the 13-year study period. Predictive modeling indicates that 9.5% of the ~32,000 suicides reported between 2004 and 2016 resulted directly from labor underutilization, including 1575 suicides attributable to unemployment and 1496 suicides attributable to underemployment. We conclude that economic policies prioritizing full employment should be considered integral to any comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Skinner
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Mental Wealth Initiative, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nathaniel D. Osgood
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
- Computer Simulation and Advanced Research Technologies (CSART), Sydney, Australia
| | - Jo-An Occhipinti
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Mental Wealth Initiative, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Computer Simulation and Advanced Research Technologies (CSART), Sydney, Australia
| | - Yun Ju Christine Song
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Mental Wealth Initiative, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian B. Hickie
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Mental Wealth Initiative, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Schuerkamp R, Liang L, Rice KL, Giabbanelli PJ. Simulation Models for Suicide Prevention: A Survey of the State-of-the-Art. COMPUTERS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:10.3390/computers12070132. [PMID: 37869477 PMCID: PMC10588059 DOI: 10.3390/computers12070132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death and a global public health problem, representing more than one in every 100 deaths in 2019. Modeling and Simulation (M&S) is widely used to address public health problems, and numerous simulation models have investigated the complex, dependent, and dynamic risk factors contributing to suicide. However, no review has been dedicated to these models, which prevents modelers from effectively learning from each other and raises the risk of redundant efforts. To guide the development of future models, in this paper we perform the first scoping review of simulation models for suicide prevention. Examining ten articles, we focus on three practical questions. First, which interventions are supported by previous models? We found that four groups of models collectively support 53 interventions. We examined these interventions through the lens of global recommendations for suicide prevention, highlighting future areas for model development. Second, what are the obstacles preventing model application? We noted the absence of cost effectiveness in all models reviewed, meaning that certain simulated interventions may be infeasible. Moreover, we found that most models do not account for different effects of suicide prevention interventions across demographic groups. Third, how much confidence can we place in the models? We evaluated models according to four best practices for simulation, leading to nuanced findings that, despite their current limitations, the current simulation models are powerful tools for understanding the complexity of suicide and evaluating suicide prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Schuerkamp
- Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Luke Liang
- Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Ketra L. Rice
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Philippe J. Giabbanelli
- Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
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Occhipinti JA, Buchanan J, Skinner A, Song YJC, Tran K, Rosenberg S, Fels A, Doraiswamy PM, Meier P, Prodan A, Hickie IB. Measuring, Modeling, and Forecasting the Mental Wealth of Nations. Front Public Health 2022; 10:879183. [PMID: 35968431 PMCID: PMC9368578 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.879183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deep links and fragility of economic, health and social systems. Discussions of reconstruction include renewed interest in moving beyond GDP and recognizing "human capital", "brain capital", "mental capital", and "wellbeing" as assets fundamental to economic reimagining, productivity, and prosperity. This paper describes how the conceptualization of Mental Wealth provides an important framing for measuring and shaping social and economic renewal to underpin healthy, productive, resilient, and thriving communities. We propose a transdisciplinary application of systems modeling to forecast a nation's Mental Wealth and understand the extent to which policy-mediated changes in economic, social, and health sectors could enhance collective mental health and wellbeing, social cohesion, and national prosperity. Specifically, simulation will allow comparison of the projected impacts of a range of cross-sector strategies (education sector, mental health system, labor market, and macroeconomic reforms) on GDP and national Mental Wealth, and provide decision support capability for future investments and actions to foster Mental Wealth. Finally, this paper introduces the Mental Wealth Initiative that is harnessing complex systems science to examine the interrelationships between social, commercial, and structural determinants of mental health and wellbeing, and working to empirically challenge the notion that fostering universal social prosperity is at odds with economic and commercial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo-An Occhipinti
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Computer Simulation and Advanced Research Technologies, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John Buchanan
- Mental Wealth Initiative, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Skinner
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yun Ju C. Song
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristen Tran
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sebastian Rosenberg
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Allan Fels
- Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - P. Murali Doraiswamy
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Petra Meier
- Systems Science in Public Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ante Prodan
- Computer Simulation and Advanced Research Technologies, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian B. Hickie
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Occhipinti JA, Rose D, Skinner A, Rock D, Song YJC, Prodan A, Rosenberg S, Freebairn L, Vacher C, Hickie IB. Sound Decision Making in Uncertain Times: Can Systems Modelling Be Useful for Informing Policy and Planning for Suicide Prevention? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031468. [PMID: 35162491 PMCID: PMC8835017 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the significant value of systems modelling in supporting proactive and effective public health decision making despite the complexities and uncertainties that characterise an evolving crisis. The same approach is possible in the field of mental health. However, a commonly levelled (but misguided) criticism prevents systems modelling from being more routinely adopted, namely, that the presence of uncertainty around key model input parameters renders a model useless. This study explored whether radically different simulated trajectories of suicide would result in different advice to decision makers regarding the optimal strategy to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on mental health. Using an existing system dynamics model developed in August 2020 for a regional catchment of Western Australia, four scenarios were simulated to model the possible effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of psychological distress. The scenarios produced a range of projected impacts on suicide deaths, ranging from a relatively small to a dramatic increase. Discordance in the sets of best-performing intervention scenarios across the divergent COVID-mental health trajectories was assessed by comparing differences in projected numbers of suicides between the baseline scenario and each of 286 possible intervention scenarios calculated for two time horizons; 2026 and 2041. The best performing intervention combinations over the period 2021–2041 (i.e., post-suicide attempt assertive aftercare, community support programs to increase community connectedness, and technology enabled care coordination) were highly consistent across all four COVID-19 mental health trajectories, reducing suicide deaths by between 23.9–24.6% against the baseline. However, the ranking of best performing intervention combinations does alter depending on the time horizon under consideration due to non-linear intervention impacts. These findings suggest that systems models can retain value in informing robust decision making despite uncertainty in the trajectories of population mental health outcomes. It is recommended that the time horizon under consideration be sufficiently long to capture the full effects of interventions, and efforts should be made to achieve more timely tracking and access to key population mental health indicators to inform model refinements over time and reduce uncertainty in mental health policy and planning decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo-An Occhipinti
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
- Computer Simulation & Advanced Research Technologies (CSART), Sydney, NSW 2021, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-467-522-766
| | - Danya Rose
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
| | - Adam Skinner
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
| | - Daniel Rock
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- WA Primary Health Alliance, Perth, WA 6008, Australia
| | - Yun Ju C. Song
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
| | - Ante Prodan
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
- Computer Simulation & Advanced Research Technologies (CSART), Sydney, NSW 2021, Australia
- School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Sebastian Rosenberg
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
| | - Louise Freebairn
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
- Computer Simulation & Advanced Research Technologies (CSART), Sydney, NSW 2021, Australia
| | - Catherine Vacher
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ian B. Hickie
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (D.R.); (A.S.); (Y.J.C.S.); (A.P.); (S.R.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (I.B.H.)
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