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Asharani PV, Koh YS, Tan RHS, Tan YB, Gunasekaran S, Lim B, Tudor Car L, Subramaniam M. The impact of media reporting of suicides on subsequent suicides in Asia: A systematic review. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2024; 53:152-169. [PMID: 38920243 DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2023237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Introduction This systematic review is aimed at (1) evaluating the association between media portrayals of suicides and subsequent copycat suicides or attempts among the general public in Asia, (2) understanding the factors associated with copycat suicides and (3) determining the positive impacts of the media reporting of suicides (e.g. increased help-seeking, coping). Method A systematic review and narrative synthesis of English and Chinese articles from 8 electronic databases (i.e. PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ariti, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and OpenGrey) from January 2000 to May 2023 was conducted. Observational studies were included, and the data were analysed through narrative synthesis. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021281535). Results Among the 32 studies included (n=29 for evidence synthesis) in the review, there is good-quality evidence to show that copycat suicides and suicide attempts increase after media reports of a suicide, regardless of country, celebrity status, study design, type of media, mode of suicide or follow-up period. Females, younger age groups and those sharing similar characteristics as the deceased in publicised suicides (age, gender) were more susceptible to negative impact. Reporting of the mode of death of the deceased increased suicides by the same method among the public. Conclusion Media portrayals of suicide appear to have a negative impact on copycat suicides at the population level in Asia. Thus, in addition to tighter media control, healthcare systems, professional medical bodies and community outreach services should work collaboratively to promote early help-seeking in those with psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- P V Asharani
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | - Yen Sin Koh
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | | | - Yoke Boon Tan
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | | | - Benedict Lim
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | - Lorainne Tudor Car
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mythily Subramaniam
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Mitsuhashi T. Assessing Vulnerability to Surges in Suicide-Related Tweets Using Japan Census Data: Case-Only Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e47798. [PMID: 37561553 PMCID: PMC10450538 DOI: 10.2196/47798] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the use of social media becomes more widespread, its impact on health cannot be ignored. However, limited research has been conducted on the relationship between social media and suicide. Little is known about individuals' vulnerable to suicide, especially when social media suicide information is extremely prevalent. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify the characteristics underlying individuals' vulnerability to suicide brought about by an increase in suicide-related tweets, thereby contributing to public health. METHODS A case-only design was used to investigate vulnerability to suicide using individual data of people who died by suicide and tweet data from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014. Mortality data were obtained from Japanese government statistics, and tweet data were provided by a commercial service. Tweet data identified the days when suicide-related tweets surged, and the date-keyed merging was performed by considering 3 and 7 lag days. For the merged data set for analysis, the logistic regression model was fitted with one of the personal characteristics of interest as a dependent variable and the dichotomous exposure variable. This analysis was performed to estimate the interaction between the surges in suicide-related tweets and personal characteristics of the suicide victims as case-only odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs. For the sensitivity analysis, unexpected deaths other than suicide were considered. RESULTS During the study period, there were 159,490 suicides and 115,072 unexpected deaths, and the number of suicide-related tweets was 2,804,999. Following the 3-day lag of a highly tweeted day, there were significant interactions for those who were aged 40 years or younger (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15), male (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.07-1.18), divorced (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03 1.19), unemployed (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.22), and living in urban areas (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.17 1.35). By contrast, widowed individuals had significantly lower interactions (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77-0.89). Except for unemployment, significant relationships were also observed for the 7-day lag. For the sensitivity analysis, no significant interactions were observed for other unexpected deaths in the 3-day lag, and only the widowed had a significantly larger interaction than those who were married (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15) in the 7-day lag. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the interactions of personal characteristics associated with susceptibility to suicide-related tweets. In addition, a few significant relationships were observed in the sensitivity analysis, suggesting that such an interaction is specific to suicide deaths. In other words, individuals with these characteristics, such as being young, male, unemployed, and divorced, may be vulnerable to surges in suicide-related tweets. Thus, minimizing public health strain by identifying people who are vulnerable and susceptible to a surge in suicide-related information on the internet is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiharu Mitsuhashi
- Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
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Jang J, Myung W, Kim S, Han M, Yook V, Kim EJ, Jeon HJ. Effect of suicide prevention law and media guidelines on copycat suicide of general population following celebrity suicides in South Korea, 2005-2017. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2022; 56:542-550. [PMID: 34231416 DOI: 10.1177/00048674211025701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To prevent copycat suicides following media reporting of celebrity suicides, the South Korean government enacted a 'suicide prevention law' in 2012 and revised the media guidelines for suicide reporting in 2013. This study examined how these two regulatory measures affected suicide trends among the general population in South Korea. METHODS We analyzed the individual effect estimates for the general population within 30 days following the media report of 24 celebrity suicides using multivariate negative binomial regression. We performed a meta-analysis to compute the pooled rate ratios of the two regulations. We examined the trends in daily suicides by month during three time intervals before and after enactment using an autoregressive model and tested their significance using a piecewise linear regression. RESULTS Total suicides increased by 6.27 daily during the 30-day period after celebrity suicides. Compared with the 30 days prior to the reports on the suicide of 24 celebrities, the number of suicidal deaths in the general population increased by 13% during the 30 days after the reports were announced (pooled rate ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval: 0.06-0.18; p < 0.001). There was a significant downward trend in the average daily suicide deaths, and no significant increase in suicide rates, after the enactment of the suicide prevention law (p < 0.001) and revision of the media guidelines (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS Suicide prevention and media guidelines were effective in reducing the effect of celebrity suicides. In addition to regulating media reporting of celebrity suicide, measures are needed to address viral republication on social media and to prevent suicide among entertainers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Research and Analysis, Korea Psychological Autopsy Center (KPAC), Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Keyo Hospital, Uiwang, Korea
| | - Woojae Myung
- Department of Neurosychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Seongcheol Kim
- Department of Statistical Analysis, Korea Suicide Prevention Center (KPAC), Seoul, Korea
| | - Minhee Han
- Department of Statistical Analysis, Korea Suicide Prevention Center (KPAC), Seoul, Korea
| | - Vidal Yook
- Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ji Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Research and Analysis, Korea Psychological Autopsy Center (KPAC), Seoul, Korea
| | - Hong Jin Jeon
- Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Research and Analysis, Korea Psychological Autopsy Center (KPAC), Seoul, Korea.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Medical Device Management and Research, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Clinical Research Design and Evaluation, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
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Benson R, Rigby J, Brunsdon C, Cully G, Too LS, Arensman E. Quantitative Methods to Detect Suicide and Self-Harm Clusters: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095313. [PMID: 35564710 PMCID: PMC9099648 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Suicide and self-harm clusters exist in various forms, including point, mass, and echo clusters. The early identification of clusters is important to mitigate contagion and allocate timely interventions. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize existing evidence of quantitative analyses of suicide and self-harm clusters. Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from date of inception to December 2020 for studies that statistically analyzed the presence of suicide or self-harm clusters. Extracted data were narratively synthesized due to heterogeneity among the statistical methods applied. Of 7268 identified studies, 79 were eligible for narrative synthesis. Most studies quantitatively verified the presence of suicide and self-harm clusters based on the scale of the data and type of cluster. A Poisson-based scan statistical model was found to be effective in accurately detecting point and echo clusters. Mass clusters are typically detected by a time-series regression model, although limitations exist. Recently, the statistical analysis of suicide and self-harm clusters has progressed due to advances in quantitative methods and geospatial analytical techniques, most notably spatial scanning software. The application of such techniques to real-time surveillance data could effectively detect emerging clusters and provide timely intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Benson
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (E.A.)
- National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, 4.28 Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
- Correspondence:
| | - Jan Rigby
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland; (J.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Christopher Brunsdon
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland; (J.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Grace Cully
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (E.A.)
- National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, 4.28 Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
| | - Lay San Too
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia;
| | - Ella Arensman
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (E.A.)
- National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, 4.28 Western Gateway Building, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
- Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia
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Effects of catastrophic financial loss on suicide risk: evidence from Korean stock market crash in October 2008. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2022; 57:47-56. [PMID: 34037839 PMCID: PMC8152199 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-021-02109-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The negative effect of catastrophic financial loss on suicide risk is widely perceived but hardly studied in-depth because of various difficulties in designing studies. We empirically investigated the effect utilizing the stock market crash event in October 2008 in South Korea. METHODS We extracted stock market investor data from Korea Exchanges, and mortality data from Microdata Integrated Service of individuals aged 30-60 years. We calculated age-standardized monthly suicide rate per 100,000 persons according to sex and age, and developed intervention analysis with multiplicative seasonal ARIMA model to isolate the effect of the stock market crash on suicide rate. RESULTS More than 11% of people aged 30-60 years were directly investing in stocks during stock market crash. In October 2008, both KOSPI and KOSDAQ indexes dropped by 22.67% and 30.14%, respectively. In November 2008, the suicide rate in males 30-60 years increased by > 40% compared to the expected levels if there had been no market crash, and in females aged 30-40 and 40-50 years, it increased by 101.84% and 74.81%, respectively. The effect appeared to persist in males, whereas it degenerated with time in females during our sampling period. Suicide was more pronounced in younger age groups and females. CONCLUSION In this first in-depth study, the effect of catastrophic financial loss negatively affects suicide risk for an extended period, indicating health and financial authorities should provide a long-term financial and psychological support for people with extreme financial loss.
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Williams CL, Gauthier JM, Witte TK. Effects of Exposure to Multiple, Graphic Suicide News Articles on Explicit and Implicit Measures of Suicide Risk. Arch Suicide Res 2021; 25:491-511. [PMID: 32019483 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1715905] [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: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Research has examined suicide-related behaviors following exposure to suicide news articles, yet only a handful of studies utilized experimental designs. We aimed to address the limitations of these prior experimental studies by utilizing more realistic suicide articles and more empirically sound measures. 420 participants were randomly assigned to read a series of either suicide-related or neutral news articles, then complete a battery of questionnaires and the Death/Suicide Implicit Association Task. Overall, no significant differences between groups were observed, nor did we observe any moderation effect of individual vulnerabilities (e.g., lifetime suicidal ideation/behavior). We did not observe any immediate effects of exposure to suicide news articles. Further research examining potential mechanisms for imitative effects remains critically needed.
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Ha J, Yang HS. The Werther effect of celebrity suicides: Evidence from South Korea. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249896. [PMID: 33909657 PMCID: PMC8081220 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2003 Korea has experienced the highest suicide rate among OECD countries. One of the societal risk factors that triggers suicide is the contagious nature of suicide. This paper empirically examines the effect of celebrity suicide reports on subsequent copycat suicides, using daily suicide data and information of highly publicized suicide stories in Korea from 2005 to 2018. The findings from the Poisson regression model suggest that the number of public suicides soars after media reports on celebrity suicides. On average, the number of suicides in the population increased by 16.4% within just one day after the reports. Further analysis reveals that female and younger subgroups are more likely to be affected by celebrity suicides. Moreover, the public reacts more strongly to suicide incidents of celebrities of the same gender and even imitates the methods of suicide used by celebrities. This paper highlights the significance of careful and responsible media coverage of suicide stories to prevent copycat suicide. For policymakers, it is crucial to implement regulations not only for traditional media but also for new media where younger people can freely access unfiltered information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongmin Ha
- School of Economics, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Seung Yang
- School of Economics, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Chatterjee SS, D’cruz M. Imitative Suicide, Mental Health, and Related Sobriquets. Indian J Psychol Med 2020; 42:560-565. [PMID: 33354083 PMCID: PMC7735246 DOI: 10.1177/0253717620960375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Migita D’cruz
- Dept. of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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The effect of assisted dying on suicidality: a synthetic control analysis of population suicide rates in Belgium. J Public Health Policy 2020; 42:86-97. [PMID: 32895484 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-020-00249-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Adoption of assisted dying has rapidly grown, but many groups caution that these policies can cause suicide contagions. If those urging caution are correct, jurisdictions with these policies will experience increased suicides. This study aimed to determine the changes in population suicide rates in Belgium before and after its 2002 policy using the synthetic control method (SCM) and generalized synthetic control method (GSCM). As comparisons we used additional European Union members that have not adopted these policies. GSCM showed an average annual suicide rate increase of 0.73 per 100,000 population (95% CI - 5.7 to 7.2; p = 0.80). Placebo testing based on the SCM analysis showed equal outcomes for Belgium and the comparisons. This study failed to show evidence of association between implementation of legislation legitimizing assisted dying and population suicide rates. The threat of suicide contagion has influenced policy discussions in the past, but this study suggests that there is presently no indication for policy-makers to view suicide contagions as a concerning side effect of assisted dying legislation.
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Yi H, Hwang J, Bae HJ, Kim N. Age and sex subgroups vulnerable to copycat suicide: evaluation of nationwide data in South Korea. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17253. [PMID: 31754190 PMCID: PMC6872728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53833-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Media reports of a celebrity's suicide may be followed by copycat suicides, and the impact may vary in different age and sex subgroups. We proposed a quantitative framework to assess the vulnerability of age and sex subgroups to copycat suicide and used this method to investigate copycat suicides in relation to the suicides of 10 celebrities in South Korea from 1993 to 2013. By applying a detrending model to control for annual and seasonal fluctuations, we estimated the expected number of suicides within a copycat suicide period. The copycat effect was assessed in two ways: the magnitude of copycat suicide by dividing the observed by the expected number of suicides, and the mortality rate by subtracting the expected from the observed number of suicides. Females aged 20-29 years were the most vulnerable subgroup according to both the magnitude of the copycat effect (2.31-fold increase over baseline) and the mortality rate from copycat suicide (22.7-increase). Males aged 50-59 years were the second most vulnerable subgroup according to the copycat suicide mortality rate (20.5- increase). We hope that the proposed quantitative framework will be used to identify vulnerable subgroups to copycat effect, thereby helping devise strategies for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahn Yi
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongeun Hwang
- Department of Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Bae
- Department of Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Namkug Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Jo SJ, Yun MK, Lee MS. Effects of a Province-Based Strategy to Prevent Suicide Using Charcoal Burning: A Preliminary Time Series Analysis. Psychiatry Investig 2019; 16:621-624. [PMID: 31446687 PMCID: PMC6710423 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2019.06.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The suicide rate in Korea has been declining steadily after peaking in 2011. However, to date, time-series analyses of Korean suicide rate data have mainly addressed factors related to increases in suicide rates. This study analyzed one of the most important evidence-based public health strategies to decrease suicide, that is, preventive effects of restricting access to lethal means via a charcoal-selling procedure improvement campaign, using multivariate time series analysis. The results showed the campaign in Gyeonggi Province had a significant effect on decreasing the number of charcoal-burning suicides in this area. It is believed that the present study has important implications in terms of providing the first empirical evidence for the charcoal-selling procedure improvement campaign in Korea. Further repeated research is needed to evaluate the impact of the intervention when the more enough observational data become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Jin Jo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kyung Yun
- Gyeonggi Provincial Suicide Prevention Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Soo Lee
- Gyeonggi Provincial Suicide Prevention Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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Ferreira RDS, Martin IDS, Zanetti ACG, Vedana KGG. [News coverage on suicides published in Brazilian news media channels]. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2019; 26:1565-1574. [PMID: 33886783 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232021264.12882019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study analyzed how news coverage about suicides is published in the Brazilian electronic media and evaluated if the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) were complied with in the online media. This quantitative, documentary and retrospective study investigated 89 published news items about suicide in 2017 in the Brazilian newspaper sites with the largest circulation. Descriptive statistics and tests of association were used for data analysis. The majority of news items contained neither content to be avoided nor aspects recommended by the WHO. The most frequent characteristics of the reported cases do not correspond directly to the epidemiological profile of suicidal behavior, but to media interests. Actions are needed to foster media involvement in suicide prevention, dissemination of resources and strategies to support and reduce stigma and the contagion effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata da Silva Ferreira
- Curso de Enfermagem, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP). R. Prof. Hélio Lourenço 3900, Vila Monte Alegre. 14040-902 Ribeirão Preto SP Brasil.
| | - Isabela Dos Santos Martin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem Psiquiátrica, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, USP. Ribeirão Preto SP Brasil
| | - Ana Carolina Guidorizzi Zanetti
- Departamento de Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e Ciências Humanas, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, USP. Ribeirão Preto SP Brasil
| | - Kelly Graziani Giacchero Vedana
- Departamento de Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e Ciências Humanas, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, USP. Ribeirão Preto SP Brasil
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Vuorio A, Laukkala T, Junttila I, Bor R, Budowle B, Pukkala E, Navathe P, Sajantila A. Aircraft-Assisted Pilot Suicides in the General Aviation Increased for One-Year Period after 11 September 2001 Attack in the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15112525. [PMID: 30424489 PMCID: PMC6266333 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15112525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pilot aircraft-assisted suicides (AAS) are rare, and there is limited understanding of copycat phenomenon among aviators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect the 11 September 2001, terrorist attacks had on pilot AASs in the U.S. Fatal aviation accidents in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) database were searched using the following search words: “suicide”, “murder-suicide” and “homicide-suicide”. The timeline between 11 September 1996, and 11 September 2004, was analyzed. Only those accidents in which NTSB judged that the cause of the accident was suicide were included in the final analysis. The relative risk (RR) of the pilot AASs in all fatal accidents in the U.S. was calculated in order to compare the one, two, and three-year periods after the September 11 terrorist attacks with five years preceding the event. The RR of a fatal general aviation aircraft accident being due to pilot suicide was 3.68-fold (95% confidence interval 1.04–12.98) during the first year after 11 September 2001, but there was not a statistically significant increase in the later years. This study showed an association, albeit not determinate causal effect, of a very specific series of simultaneous terrorist murder-suicides with subsequent pilot AASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpo Vuorio
- Mehiläinen Airport Health Centre, 01530 Vantaa, Finland.
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Tanja Laukkala
- Mehiläinen Kielotie Health Centre, 01300 Vantaa, Finland.
| | - Ilkka Junttila
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland and Fimlab Laboratories, 33014 Tampere, Finland.
| | - Robert Bor
- Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK.
- Centre for Aviation Psychology, London NW3 1ND, UK.
| | - Bruce Budowle
- Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp, Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
| | - Eero Pukkala
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland.
| | | | - Antti Sajantila
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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Guerrero APS. Star Wars Wisdom: From the Films' Stories and the People Who Made Them Possible. ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY TRAINING AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY 2017; 41:301-302. [PMID: 28197982 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-017-0678-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
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