Resource Tag: AVAILABILITY OF MEANS

Suicide rates in older people in the United Kingdom have steadily declined for both genders since the mid-1980s. The current challenge is to sustain this downward trend. The importance of removal of means as a suicide prevention strategy has been emphasized as being one of the most practicable & effective of policies for suicide reduction. […]

This study sought to determine why paraquat is such a common agent for suicide attempts in Korea. 250 cases (143 males, 107 females) of attempted suicide by paraquat igestion were analyzed. The procurement of the paraquat was divided into 2 categories: purchased & pre-existing. Men were more likely to have purchased paraquat than were women. […]

A random sample of 697 licensed social workers in Ohio was surveyed regarding client firearm assessment & safety counselling. Analyses sought to determine what independent factors would predict the probability that a social worker would hold positive attitudes regarding firearm risk assessment & counselling. Findings indicated that prior training & reporting from an urban area […]

This study estimated suicide mortality among suicide attempters in Taiwan & assessed the extent of means substitution among subjects with a nonfatal attempt & a subsequent fatal attempt during the study period. A total of 5261 attempters registered in a surveillance system from 2004-2005 were followed throught 2005. 72 suicides were identified. The 1-year incidence […]

To help support an effective regional response in the northwest region of the United Kingdom, the North West Public Health Observatory was commissioned to analyse non-residential suicide locations. This report discusses suicide locations with multiple events & prevention strategies. The research methodology is described. Results are discussed in terms of suicides & open verdicts & […]

This study examines the relationship between state firearm regulations & suicide among American males, using negative binomial regression & state panel data for 1995-2004. Results suggest firearms regulations which function to reduce overall gun availability have a significant deterrent effect on suicide, while prohibited persons categories have less of an effect. Overall, results suggest gun […]

This study investigated suicide trends, 1979-1998, in Rio de Janiero State with emphasis on age, period, & cohort effects. Poisson regression & graphical methods were used to evaluate these effects. Suicide rates increased steadily with age, particularly among males. In both males & females, age-adjusted rates decreased until 1992 & started to increase in 1993. […]

This article discusses new research on risk factors for suicide & what this means for prevention strategies. A new concept of suicide risk – having the intent & the will to carry out suicide plans – is being used to identify high-risk individuals for preventive therapy. Efforts to prevent suicide by making access to & […]

Cerbera odollam is a tree belonging to the family that includes the yellow & common oleanders. The odollam tree is responsible for about 50 percent of the plant poisoning cases & 10% of the total poisoning cases in Kerala, India. It is used for both suicide & homicide. Approximatley 70-75 percent of suicides, 1989-1999, by […]

This study investigated whether women use less lethal methods of suicide than men & determined whether place of suicide influences method of suicide. Data on suicides in Riverside County, 1998-2001, were derived from death certificates. Women were over 73% less likely to use firearms than men. There were no gender differentials in hanging but females […]

This chapter begins with the delineation of a sociological model of occupation & suicide & the application of the model to the case of artistic occupations. The model has 4 major components: demographics, internal occupational stress, pre-existing psychiatric morbidity, & opportunity factors. Aspects of the model are tested in three studies. Study 1 tests Preti […]

In 2002 & 2004 telephone surveys of American adults, participants reported their height, weight, & several potential risk factors for suicide. This study assessed whether body mass index was associated with the risk factors among 224,247 respondents in 2002 & 275,194 in 2004 after sample-weighted adjustment for age, ethnicity, region, smoking, & education. Alcohol-related risk […]

This study assessed the impact of 1997 legislative restrictions on the incidence of firearm suicide in Queensland & explored alternative or contributory factors behind observed declines. The observed reduction in firearms suicide was initiated prior to the National Firearms Agreement, with a clear decline observed in Australian figures from 1988. No significant difference was found […]

Since suicide is a complex, multicausal behaviour, its prevention should also be complex. The prediction of suicide is very difficult in the general population but much easier among patients with certain mental disorders. This article reviews the most important biological & non-biological suicide prevention strategies. (26 refs.)

Whether by choice or necessity, more older adults in America are now living in congregate residential settings. About 23 percent of the 36 million adults over age 65 experience relocation. The underlying reasons for relocation as well as the ensuing adjustment process is often stressful. These adjustments coupled with an array of risk factors commonly […]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s internal employee assistance program has a proactive approach to suicide prevention & response, including a standard of care & a suicide response protocol. Factors that contribute to the suicide of an agent include depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, frustration, firearms, & management response. Suicide in the Federal Bureau of Investigation is […]

In 2004, the Irish High Court ruled police policy restricting access to firearms was without legislative backing. Since then the police began to issue certificates for firearms where the applicant is not disentitled under law from possessing a gun. Set against this backdrop, this paper explores the consequences of liberal gun regimes in the context […]

This strategy aims: 1) to produce a comprehensive package of practical actions which are likely to have an impact on the number of suicides in Westminster; & 2) to provide a structure to co-ordinate activities resulting in improved suicide prevention, particularly, early intervention & treatment. 6 categories of action are detailed: general population interventions, mental […]

Since 1985, 89 uniformed members of the New York City Police Department have died by suicide. The department has established several employee assistance units, innovative programs, & initiatives to assist police personnel who are experiencing personal & professional problems in an effort to reduce the incidence of police suicides. This chapter will discuss causal factors […]

This study examined what effect the withdrawal of co-proxamol from the United Kingdom market had on mortality from poisoning in Scotland. A retrospective, observational study of mortality due to poisoning by single agents was done for the period 2000-2006. A significant reduction in the proportion of poisoning deaths due to co-proxamol was observed following legislation. […]

This strategy sets out the approach that will be taken to reduce deaths from suicide & undetermined injury in Devon. The range of targets, objectives, & actions that will contribute to a multi-agency response are identified. The objectives that are addressed are: reducing the risk in high-risk groups; promoting mental well-being in the wider population; […]

The study presented in this chapter reviewed data from 89 sheriff & police departments in Illinois, Indiana, & Minnesota. Six questions arising from the results of the data were discussed. Nine suicides were reported in the 89 departments, representing 3,736 officers from 1980-1998. There was a 0.0004% yearly average difference between the police suicides & […]

This article reviews the major tactics for preventing suicide, including medications, psychotherapy for suicidal clients, emergency management & treatment, crisis intervention centres, education programmes for physicians, restricting access to lethal methods, school education programs, & groups for survivors. A brief paragraph discusses resources for those wishing to die by suicide. Evaluative data is presented for […]