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Bellairs-Walsh I, Byrne SJ, Bendall S, Perry Y, Krysinska K, Lin A, Michail M, Lamblin M, Li TY, Hetrick S, Robinson J. Working with Young People at Risk of Suicidal Behaviour and Self-Harm: A Qualitative Study of Australian General Practitioners' Perspectives. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12926. [PMID: 34948536 PMCID: PMC8701929 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182412926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
General Practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in the identification and support of young people at risk of suicidal behaviour and self-harm; however, no studies have explored GPs' perspectives, approaches, challenges, and resource needs when working with this cohort in an Australian setting. This was a qualitative study where fifteen GPs (Mage = 45.25 years) from multiple clinics in Western Australia took part in semi-structured interviews, and data were analysed thematically. Seven main themes were identified: (1) working with young people has its unique challenges; (2) screening and assessment tools can help to manage uncertainty and discomfort; (3) going beyond tools-the dialogue and relationship are most important; (4) there are limits to what we can offer in the time available; (5) the service access and referral pathways lack clarity and coordination; (6) the provision of mental health support should not fall on GPs alone; and (7) more comprehensive training in suicide and self-harm is needed. The findings highlight a number of opportunities to enhance care and better assist GPs working with young people who present with suicidal behaviour and self-harm, including considerations for conducting assessments, targeted resources such as training, and system and service improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- India Bellairs-Walsh
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.J.B.); (S.B.); (K.K.); (M.L.); (T.Y.L.); (J.R.)
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Sadhbh J. Byrne
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.J.B.); (S.B.); (K.K.); (M.L.); (T.Y.L.); (J.R.)
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah Bendall
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.J.B.); (S.B.); (K.K.); (M.L.); (T.Y.L.); (J.R.)
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Yael Perry
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (Y.P.); (A.L.)
| | - Karolina Krysinska
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.J.B.); (S.B.); (K.K.); (M.L.); (T.Y.L.); (J.R.)
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Centre for Mental Health, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Lin
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (Y.P.); (A.L.)
| | - Maria Michail
- School of Psychology, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Michelle Lamblin
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.J.B.); (S.B.); (K.K.); (M.L.); (T.Y.L.); (J.R.)
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Tina Yutong Li
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.J.B.); (S.B.); (K.K.); (M.L.); (T.Y.L.); (J.R.)
- Townsville University Hospital, Douglas, QLD 4814, Australia
| | - Sarah Hetrick
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Jo Robinson
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (S.J.B.); (S.B.); (K.K.); (M.L.); (T.Y.L.); (J.R.)
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
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Borowsky IW, Taliaferro LA, McMorris BJ. Suicidal thinking and behavior among youth involved in verbal and social bullying: risk and protective factors. J Adolesc Health 2013; 53:S4-12. [PMID: 23790200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.10.280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify risk and protective factors associated with thinking about or attempting suicide among youth involved in verbal and social bullying. METHODS We analyzed data on 130,908 students in the sixth, ninth, and twelfth grades responding to the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey. Among students involved in frequent bullying (once a week or more during the past 30 days), we compared those who did and did not report suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt during the past year. Separate analyses were conducted for perpetrators only, victims only, and bully-victims. RESULTS Overall, 6.1% of students reported frequent perpetration only, 9.6% frequent victimization only, and 3.1% both. Suicidal thinking or a suicide attempt was reported by 22% of perpetrators only, 29% of victims only, and 38% of bully-victims. In logistic regression models controlling for demographic and other risk and protective factors, a history of self-injury and emotional distress were risk factors that cross-cut the three bullying involvement groups. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, a mental health problem, and running away from home were additional risk factors for perpetrators only and victims only. Parent connectedness was a cross-cutting protective factor, whereas stronger perceived caring by friends and by nonparental adults were additional protective factors for some groups. CONCLUSIONS A range of risk and protective factors were associated with suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt among youth involved in verbal and social bullying. Findings may assist in identifying youth at increased risk for suicidal thinking and behavior and in promoting key protective factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Wagman Borowsky
- Division of Academic General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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