Suicidality, Depression, and Mental Health Service Use in Canada

Objective: To determine the magnitude of depression and suicidal populations, the overlap between these populations, and the associated patterns of mental health service use.

Results: Approximately 4% to 5% of the population suffered from a major depression or suicidality. About 2 of 3 of those who were suicidal did not suffer from depression, and over 70% of those with depression did not report suicidality. Persons with depression and suicidality or depression (but no suicidality) were the 2 groups most likely to report ambulatory mental health contacts, and the provider groups contacted most often included physicians. The use of provider groups was considerably lower for those who were suicidal (but had no depression). Whereas the latter were more likely to report contacts than not, suicidality, in and of itself, did not exert a strong effect on contact with any particular provider group. For those who were suicidal (but who had no depression), less than 1 in 3 reported any mental health service contact, including an inpatient mental health stay.

Conclusions: The lack of contact by those who are suicidal (but who have no depression) is provocative, given that almost 2 of 3 of the suicidal subjects had no depression. Detrimental outcomes such as depression may develop without effective early interventions and uptake by a sufficient supply of appropriately trained and financially accessible personnel.

Helping those who want to harm themselves
Article in The Age, 25 February 2006, by Amanda Place

"Research being conducted at ORYGEN Youth Health - a public mental health service for young Victorians - is providing valuable insight into youth suicide risk with the aid of British expert Jo Robinson. Ms Robinson is a seasoned researcher in the field, having worked on a study in Manchester, the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness.

Ms Robinson plans to follow-up research on young people who suicide after a first episode of psychosis....The ORYGEN team's main focus will be on developing suicide intervention methods, protecting those experiencing their first episode by lowering their sense of fear, isolation and their risk of suicide.

The team plans to recruit certain young people who pass through ORYGEN triage2. The researchers plan to interview those at risk of suicide and help each young person identify his or her own way of improving their mood. The ORYGEN team will then send each client a monthly postcard for 12 months, reminding them that help is available and ways the young person can lift his or her mood, based on their own strategies. Each card will contain a unique message as well as a general health promotion tip. The initiative is undergoing ethics approval and should be operating by late March. "

Counselling Manager

Crisis Support Services Inc (CSS) provides telephone counselling to people in personal crisis. CSS is a not-for-profit, non-government with no religious affiliations counselling service. Our main services include Suicide Helpline Victoria, Mensline Australia, Being Connected and Australia Post Mensline. We provide confidential counselling, support, information and referral services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a Counselling Manager you would be an integral part of our counselling team. Reporting to the Operations Manager with responsibilities for supervision, coaching, debriefing etc the successful candidate will ensure that our professional counselling services are being delivered to the highest standards.

Candidates must have an understanding and be sensitive to men’s relationship issues and suicide intervention. For further information email hr@crisissupport.org.au Applications should be sent via email as above or forwarded to Carmel Parker, Crisis Support Services, PO Box 2335 Footscray 3011 by the 10th March 2006. Advertised on the Seek website.

When gambling becomes a problem

SIEC Alert Number 61, February 2006

Although suicide attempts among pathological gamblers are more frequent than in the general population, the true incidence of suicide related to gambling may never be known. The Canada Safety Council (2004) estimates the number to exceed 200 a year and suggests that for every one of these suicides, five gamblers may be hospitalized with self-inflicted injuries.

SIEC website: http://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/go.aspx?tabid=23

Recently Published Journal Articles

The case against no-suicide contracts: The commitment to treatment statement as a practice alternative
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 62 (2): 243-251 FEB 2006

Do SSRIs cause suicide in children? The evidence is underwhelming
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 62 (2): 235-241 FEB 2006

Advances in the assessment of suicide risk
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 62 (2): 185-200 FEB 2006

Suicide in mental health in-patients and within 3 months of discharge. National clinical survey
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 188: 129-134 FEB 2006

Suicide within 12 months of mental health service contact in different age and diagnostic groups. National clinical survey
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 188: 135-142 FEB 2006

Firearms legislation and reductions in firearm-related suicide deaths in New Zealand
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 40 (3): 253-259 MAR 2006

Suicidal behaviour among primary-care patients with depressive disorders
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE 36 (2): 203-210 FEB 2006

Psychiatric morbidity is related to parental age: a national cohort study
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE 36 (2): 269-276 FEB 2006

The effect of macroeconomic variables on suicide
Article in Psychological Medicine, Vol. 36, No. 2, pgs 181-189, Feb 2006

Many studies have searched for a direct causal relationship between economic hardship and suicide, however, findings have been varied. Macroeconomic trends are significantly associated with suicide. The patterns in males and females are very different, and there are further substantial age-related differences.

Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior

December 2005, Volume 35, No. 6

Latest issue: articles include:

• The usefulness of coroners' data on suicides for providing information relevant to prevention
• Predicting the suicide attempts of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth
• Contributors to suicidal ideation among bipolar patients with and without a history of suicide attempts
• Reported childhood trauma and suicide attempts in schizophrenic patients
• Characteristics of suicide attempters and nonattempters with schizophrenia in a rural community
• Suicide attempts and family history of suicide in three psychiatric populations
• Siblings after suicide - "The forgotten bereaved"
• Examining a model of the relation between religiosity and suicidal ideation in a sample of African American and white college students
• Perceptions concerning college student suicide: Data from four universities

FEMALE SUICIDE RISES BY 25PC IN YEAR
Article in the Dominion Post, 21 February 2006

WOMEN are behaving more like men and a tragic consequence is sharply increasing rates of suicides by females, experts say. The latest available national suicide figures made public yesterday, for 2003, show a 25 per cent increase in female suicides in one year. In 2002, 113 females killed themselves. For the following year that figure had climbed to 141. In total, 515 people died by suicide in 2003 -- up from 465 in 2002.
Men's figures continued to be high, with 374 deaths -- compared with 352 the previous year.

Self-inflicted deaths remain New Zealand's main cause of fatal injuries, eclipsing even the road death toll of 461 in 2003. Maori, especially males, continue to be more at risk than non-Maori. A new measurement tool comparing levels of deprivation with suicide rates suggested those less affluent were more likely to kill themselves.

The figures come as media organisations fight tight legal restrictions on reporting suicides, which are based on the philosophy that silence would lead to fewer suicides.

Waking up to those in despair
article in Hobart Mercury, 18 February 2006, by Mike Bingham

"IT'S lunchtime and 30 people have left their desks at the Hydro's Murray St headquarters, carrying sandwiches and other snacks, and filed into a theatrette to have a 90-minute briefing session about depression and suicide. So far, more than 10 per cent of the 900-member statewide workforce has enrolled in the special program run by Australian Red Cross.

It is called Mental Health First Aid and was introduced a year ago after two employees, both men, killed themselves. ...The Hydro already had a long-established counselling service but the appeal from staff was for detailed information on mental health. The upshot was the Red Cross program, first introduced in Tasmania two years ago. It's a 12-hour course, divided into modules, and there have been several presentations so far in Hobart and Trevallyn and more are planned for other regions...."

Young people’s help-seeking for mental health problems
Debra Rickwood, Frank P. Deane, Coralie J. Wilson, and Joseph Ciarrochi

Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH), Volume 4, Issue 3 (Supplement), 2005

"This paper summarises an ambitious research agenda aiming to uncover the factors that affect help-seeking among young people for mental health problems. The research set out to consider why young people, and particularly young males, do not seek help when they are in psychological distress or suicidal; how professional services be made more accessible and attractive to young people; the factors that inhibit and facilitate help-seeking; and how community gatekeepers can support young people to access services to help with personal and emotional problems. A range of studies was undertaken in New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data from a total of 2721
young people aged 14-24 years were gathered, as well as information from some of the community gatekeepers to young people’s mental health care.

This research program attempted to address some of the gaps in the help-seeking research literature. In particular, it contributes to better understanding of the measurement of help-seeking intentions and behaviour. It proposes a preliminary conceptual framework for understanding help-seeking at the level of the individual. Many of the trends in help-seeking behaviour described in the previous research are confirmed. Evidence regarding some of the barriers and facilitators of help-seeking is provided, along with the implications of these for the development of effective interventions for young people. There remain, however, many research questions to be investigated."

Mental health hit hard by soft drugs
Article in The Australian, February 15, 2006 by Jeremy Roberts

"THE connection between mental illness and the use of cannabis and amphetamines has been exposed by a World Health Organisation report that finds almost 50 per cent of prisoners entering South Australia's penal system had both drug and mental health problems....Of the prisoners interviewed, 117 - or 47 per cent - revealed they had a mental health disorder and a drug problem, with depression the most common illness.
They also reported having suffered anxiety and panic attacks and having harmed themselves. The results lend weight to warnings by government and researchers that the so-called soft drugs, cannabis and amphetamines, are creating havoc in the mental health system, prisons and hospitals.

The study, which completed its first phase in October, was developed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in conjunction with WHO and is a world-first examination of the link between drug use and mental health of people entering prison. "

RESTRICTIONS ON SUICIDE REPORTING FLAWED, MPS TOLD

Article in the Dominion Post, 11 February 2006, by Haydon Dewes

"MEDIA organisations have urged MPs considering changes to the Coroners Act to relax outdated restrictions on the reporting of suicide. Legislation being considered by Parliament's justice committee to modernise the act retains the restrictions, which are based on the argument that silence would lead to fewer suicides....

The Commonwealth Press Union told the committee that such thinking was flawed. The most recent suicide figures, from 2002, show New Zealand has the highest suicide rate in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development for females aged 15 years to 24 years and the third highest for young men. The CPU's media freedom committee has worked with Government officials to develop protocols on reporting suicide in a restrained manner. "

An overview of Australian Aboriginal suicide

by Terri Elliott-Farrelly

Articles are a component of Doctoral research currently being conducted with the Shoalhaven and Illawara Aboriginal Peoples.

Part One: in Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal v.29, no.1, Jan - Feb 2005: 11-15, 27-28
Explores Australian Aboriginal suicide, detailing suicide rates (epidemiology) and proposed theories of causes (etiology).

Part Two: in Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal v.29, no.1, Jan - Feb 2005: 24-28
Explores approaches to prevention.

Twin Study Links Marijuana Abuse, Suicide,And Depression

Men and women who smoked marijuana before age 17 are 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as those who started later. Individuals who are dependent on marijuana have a higher risk than nondependent individuals of experiencing major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The researchers who discovered these relationships, in a recent NIDA-funded large-scale epidemiological study, say that although the causes are not clear, their findings demonstrate the importance of considering associated mental health issues in the treatment and prevention of marijuana abuse.

Dr. Michael Lynskey and colleagues at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, gathered data from four groups of same-sex twin pairs (508 identical, 493 fraternal; 518 female, 483 male) enrolled in the Australian Twin Registry.

NIDA Notes: Research Findings Vol. 20, No. 2 (August 2005)

A framework for minimising the incidence of self-harm in prison

by Greg Dear, chapter in the book: Corrections criminology / edited by Sean O'Toole and Simon Eyland, pages 151-161, Hawkins Press, 2005.

The rate of suicide and self harm is higher among prisoners than among the general population. This chapter outlines a theoretical framework to guide prison administrators in developing comprehensive self harm prevention programs.

Evidence base to a preventive health assessment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Prepared by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, lead agency of the Chronic Disease Alliance of Non-Government Organisations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health). Prepared for The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, August 2005


The National guide is intended for all health professionals delivering primary health care to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. This includes general practitioners (GPs), Aboriginal health workers, nurses and those specialists with a role in delivering primary health care.

The National guide package consists of the following:
• Recommendations compiled from the review of the Evidence base
• Child and adult preventive health life cycle summaries.

Suicide / Self Harm section pages 127-134

Youth Counsellor, South Metropolitan Area Health Service

Department of Health
$57,642 - $62,816, Permanent - Full Time, Peel Community Mental Health

To develop and provide early intervention mental health programmes for youth 15-25 in the Peel Region. To reduce the prevalence of mental health problems in youth in order to prevent the development of more serious mental health disorders.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Possession of a relevant tertiary qualification and eligible for membership of appropriate professional association. Demonstrated advanced assessment, counselling and crisis intervention skills, including for people at risk of self-harm or suicidal behaviours. Experience and ability in working with vulnerable youth (15-25).

FOR FURTHER JOB RELATED INFORMATION:
Further information: may be obtained by contacting Richard Bostwick, A/Clinical Coordinator on 9531 8080 or email richard.bostwick@health.wa.gov.au
Application from website: http://www.fhhs.health.wa.gov.au
advertised on http://www.jobs.wa.gov.au
CLOSING DATE: 2006-02-13 4:00 PM

Queensland Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Conference 2006: Sharing learnings from practice and research

The Queensland Government is hosting the inaugural Queensland Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Conference 2006: Sharing learnings from practice and research. This two-day conference will provide delegates with current information and knowledge to effectively work towards the prevention of suicide and self-harm.

Between: 30 Mar 2006 and 31 Mar 2006
Where: The Mercure Hotel, Brisbane, QLD
Contact Email: spconference@communities.qld.gov.au
Contact Phone: 07 3404 3058

National Indigenous Suicide Forum

This forum, planned for March 2006 will be held in Darwin, and SPA wishes to acknowledge the support of the Larrakia people, hosts of this forum. The aim of the forum is to contribute to the development of strategies for advancing the National Indigenous Suicide (ISP) Initiative. The goals of the forum are to:

1. Work collaboratively in developing shared knowledge and experience leading to strategies which are able to be adapted to individual community environments and situations.
2. Identify a range of actions which may be taken by different organisations and groups which are consistent with the ISP Initiative
3. Identify how the effectiveness of initiatives will be monitored and evaluated.

The first steps in planning have begun, but the detailed planning for topics, speakers, format and papers will be developed through a national consultation process with Indigenous communities, services, and agencies as well as any other interested individuals or groups.
If you are interested in, or want to know more about, how you can be involved, Suicide Prevention Australia.

PARENTS `AT FAULT FOR TEEN SUICIDES'
Article in the Dominion Post, 6 February 2006, by Nikki MacDonald

TEENAGERS could be resorting to suicide because an over-protective society and parents have shielded them from life's problems, Wellington's coroner says....He suspected New Zealand's over-protective society -- which had removed failure and competition from childhood experience -- was partly to blame. "Are our attempts these days to protect our children and young people against life's failures and traumatic events having a counter-productive effect in that they are not being inoculated against failure by exposure? New Zealand has one of the worst youth suicide rates in the developed world. The highest rate in 2002 was in people aged 20 to 24.

Suicide risk during antidepressant treatment
Simon GE, Savarino J, Operskalski B, Wang PS
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 163 (1): 41-47 JAN 2006

In March 2004 the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned physicians and patients regarding increased risk of suicide with 10 newer antidepressant drugs. Available data leave considerable uncertainty regarding actual risk of suicide attempt and death by suicide during antidepressant treatment. The authors used population-based data to evaluate the risk of suicide death and serious suicide attempt in relation to initiation of antidepressant treatment....

Conclusions: The risk of suicide during acute-phase antidepressant treatment is approximately one in 3,000 treatment episodes, and risk of serious suicide attempt is approximately one in 1,000. Available data do not indicate a significant increase in risk of suicide or serious suicide attempt after starting treatment with newer antidepressant drugs.

Adolescent risk: The co-occurrence of illness, suicidality, and substance use

Article in : JOURNAL OF YOUTH AND ADOLESCENCE 34 (6): 547-557 DEC 2005

Illness is rarely considered a "risk factor" in adolescence. This study tests illness, suicidality and substance use as outcome measures in a path analysis of 1028 Swiss adolescents in secondary prevention programs. The model showed that negative mood (depression and anxiety) predicted two paths. One path led from negative mood to suicidality and from there to substance use. The other path led directly from negative mood to illness. Traditional protective factors (good relationships, secure identity) protected against the negative mood-suicide-substance path, but not against the negative mood-illness path.

Suicide behaviour in a clinical sample of children and adolescents in New Zealand

Article in : NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY, 34 (3): 164-170 NOV 2005
by: Fortune S, Seymour F, Lambie I

This study aimed to establish the prevalence of suicide ideation and suicidal behaviour in a child and adolescent mental health service and examine if children and adolescents with deliberate self-harm (DSH) were different from those who had not engaged in DSH in terms of individual and family risk factors.

A scoping study of depression among Indigenous peoples
Beyondblue The National Depression Initiative, 2005

"The specific objectives of this scoping study were to identify and collate information relating to: the level and nature of depression among Indigenous peoples; other potential sources of data about the incidence and prevalence of depression; awareness of depression among Indigenous people and their carers – including causes, treatment options, appropriate strategies and types of help available; and innovative programs and projects addressing depression among Indigenous peoples."

Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry): The contribution of youth development programs in preventing youth crime, drug and alcohol misuse and suicide. Griffith University

The Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance is seeking a PhD scholar to work fulltime on this ARC-funded Linkage project, in partnership with Impact: Youth Organisations Reducing Crime, and the Queensland Department of Communities.

The key question for the project is how much youth organisations (e.g., Scouts) promote positive development in at-risk youth and reduce crime and other problems. The effectiveness of youth programs in achieving this goal will be assessed through an audit of organisational activities, interviews and questionnaires with leaders and young people, and observation. The successful applicant will have an Honours 1 or 2A in one of the social sciences, specifically criminology, psychology, sociology, youth studies or related fields.

The scholarship pays a stipend of $25 118 p.a. (indexed annually) for up to three years. The scholarship also provides relocation and thesis allowance. For further information on application procedures please contact the Postgraduate Scholarships Coordinator on (07) 3735 6596 or m.mitchell@griffith.edu.au.
Applications close on 17 February 2006.
www.griffith.edu.au
Advertised on CareerOne website