National Suicide Prevention Week begins, fight against suicide continues

In 2015, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, with more than 44,000 individuals committing suicide in the past year, according to the CDC.

Suicide was the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 14 years, and the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 34 years.

There were more than twice as many suicides as there were homicides in the United States in 2015 (44,193 vs. 17,793).

September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, marks the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week.

To honor these observances, Healio.com/Psychiatry gathered helpful articles on suicide for practicing psychiatrists and mental health professionals.

How to identify suicide risk in schools

In a recent article in Psychiatric Annals, Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW, of Loyola University Chicago, outlined how to identify and respond to suicide risk in schools. Read more

‘13 Reasons Why’ increases suicide awareness, suicidal ideation

The popular Netflix show “13 Reasons Why” raised awareness of teenage suicide but also elevated suicidal ideation, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Read more

Disturbed sleep may predict suicide risk

Objective measures of disturbed sleep predicted risk for suicidal ideation, regardless of depressive symptoms, according to recent findings. Read more

Analysis shows suicide risk assessment methods lacking for veterans

Findings from a systematic review indicated risk assessment methods were sensitive to predictors of suicide and suicide attempts in veterans, but false positives were common, which limited clinical utility. Read more

ED intervention reduces suicide attempts in at-risk adults

An intervention initiated in the ED reduced suicide attempts among adults a recent suicide attempt or ideation, according to findings published in JAMA Psychiatry in conjunction with the American Association of Suicidology annual meeting. Read more

Reference:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide/index.shtml