Psychological factors associated with suicide attempt and suicide death in Scotland: A systematic review

Background The identification of modifiable psychological factors associated with suicide attempt and suicide death is required for the development of effective preventive interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to identify studies which explored psychological factors in relation to suicidal behaviour in the Scottish population. Methods Search terms relating to (i) suicide, (ii) associated […]

Suicide bereavement and postvention approaches for young people in Scotland (IN The Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief in Contemporary Contexts, edited by C. Traher and L.J. Breen)

Suicide is a leading cause of death globally, and each suicide can have a profound impact on those grieving the loss, including young people. Suicide loss is a risk factor for adverse health and social outcomes including complicated grief and subsequent suicides. Young people coping with such a death may face additional complexities in their […]

Exploration of morbidity, suicide and all-cause mortality in a Scottish forensic cohort over 20 years

Background Premature mortality among patients experiencing forensic care is high. This paper examines the morbidity and mortality of all Scottish high secure patients in 1992/1993 and followed up 20 years later through the context of recovery. Aims To explore morbidity and delineate which patients are at greatest risk of premature mortality. To assess the extent […]

Suicide prevention strategy 2013-2016.

This strategy sets out the actions the Scottish Government will take to prevent and reduce suicide in Scotland.

Choose life: Early experiences of implementing Scotland’s suicide prevention strategy.

Scotland has developed a national suicide prevention strategy, Choose Life, as part of a wider programme of mental health promotion and mental illness prevention. This paper reports findings from a survey of Choose Life co-ordinators, who are based in each local authority area and supported by a central team. The survey sought their views on […]

The Role of Parental Bonding and Early Maladaptive Schemas in the Risk of Suicidal Behavior Repetition

Participants in this study completed measures of perceived parental bonding, schemas, risk of repeating suicidal behaviour, anxiety, & depression following their presentation at Accident & Emergency with suicidal behaviour. 60 suicidal behaviour subjects differed from 46 clinical & 48 non-clinical subjects on measures of early maladaptive schemas, anxiety, & depression. No significant difference was noted […]

Refreshing the National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland: Report of the National Suicide Prevention Working Group

This document outlines the history of the national suicide prevention strategy in Scotland. A new set of objectives to inform the work for the remaining 2-2.5 years of the strategy is set out & includes: identifying & intervening to reduce suicidal behaviour in high-risk groups; developing & implementing a coordinated approach to reduce suicidal behaviour; […]

Co-Proxamol Withdrawal has Reduced Suicide From Drugs in Scotland

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. […]

Suicide by Burning Barbecue Charcoal: Three Case Reports

The authors report 3 cases of suicide in Scotland where barbecue charcoal was purposely burned in a confined area. This particular method is not common in Europe & is more widely reported in the Far East. (28 refs.)

Accounting for Accountability: a Discourse Analysis of Psychiatric Nurses’ Experience of a Patient Suicide

This article explores how 2 psychiatric nurses construct & orient to accountability when talking of their experiences of a patient suicide. Discourse analysis was used to explore particular phrases that the nurses oriented to in their accounts: scene setting, risk assessment, attributing for the suicide. Findings highlight the different, sometimes contradictory, ways the nurses attended […]

e-Infrastructures Supporting Research Into Depression, Self-Harm and Suicide

The Economic & Social Research Council-Funded Data Management through e-Social Sciences project is investigating, as one of its four research themes, how research into depression, self-harm, & suicide may be enhanced though the adoption of e-Science infrastructures & techniques. In this paper, the authors explore the challenges in supporting such research infrastructures & describe the […]

Lessons for Mental Health Care in Scotland

This report examines the details of individual cases of suicide & homicide by people with mental illness, asking: how many cases are there? what are the common themes? can we learn from them about risk & how to reduce it? Over the study period, there were around 5,000 suicides & around 500 homicides in Scotland. […]

Trauma, Attempted Suicide, and Morning Cortisol in a Community Sample of Adolescents

This sutdy explored the association between morning cortisol, trauma, & suicide attempts or ideation among young people. In a community-based sample of 501 15-year-olds, using data from a DSM-IV-compatible interview on suicidal behaviour/ideation, trauma, & morning cortisol, the authors found no association between these factors & morning cortisol. A significant gender interaction was found for […]

Sex, Gender Role Orientation, Gender Role Attitudes and Suicidal Thoughts in Three Generations: a General Population Study

This study investigated whether gender role orientation & gender role attitudes were related to the reporting of serious suicidal thoughts in 3 generations in a community sample. Subjects completed home interviews. The prevalence of serious suicide ideation was higher in early adulthood than in early & late middle age. In early adulthood, only gender was […]

A Review of Completed Suicides in the Lothian and Borders Region of Scotland (1987-1991)

A review was done of 400 suicides that occurred over a 5-year period (1987-1991) in the Lothian & Borders region of Scotland. The rate was 9.4 per 100,000 population with the elderly having a significantly higher rate than adolescents. More cases occurred in rural communities. The peak incidence was in the 45-54 year age group. […]

Life Events in Suicide and Undetermined Death in South-East Scotland: a Case-Control Study Using the Method of Psychological Autopsy

This study compared 45 cases of suicide/undetermined death with 40 living controls using psychological autopsy in south-east Scotland. Cases & controls did not differ significantly in severity of mental disorder. Adverse interpersonal events within the family & adverse physical health-related events were significantly more common in cases than controls. Recent adverse life events contributed to […]

Evaluation of Phase 2 (2006-08) of the Choose Life Strategy and Action Plan

Scotland’s Choose Life suicide prevention strategy & action plan was launched in 2002. This document provides the results from the second evaluation of the strategy. The objectives of the evaluation were to examine: progress against the original aim; whether the lessons of Phase 1 had been implemented & to what extent; & how successful Choose […]

Mental Illness and Suicide Among British Doctors

This presentation discussed a study of admissions & discharges from all Scottish psychiatric hospitals & units of male doctors & other social class I males over a 10-year period. A second study investigated a sample of 41 alcoholic physicians. The studies suggested an additional factor that increased risk of suicide among physicians is their increased […]

Suicidal Thinking and Perfectionism: the Role of Goal Adjustment and Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems (BIS/BAS)

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The Art of Conversation: a Guide to Talking, Listening and Reducing Stigma Surrounding Suicide.

This public information booklet discusses myths about suicide, suicide in Scotland, clues that may indicate someone is suicidal, & strategies for helping a person at risk. The booklet provides advice on how to start difficult conversations & active listening. A list of suicide prevention resources is also included.

Bullying and Suicide Attempts Among Adolescents Kept in Custody

The associations between suicide attempts, bullying, & the familial, educational, legal, & institutional characteristics of young offenders in custody were examined. The sample was 152 randomly selected males, aged 16-21 years, who completed structured personal interviews. Rates of reported suicide attempts were significantly higher in the population of young offenders than reported rates from general […]

National Forum on Drug-Related Deaths in Scotland: Annual Report 2007

This report summarizes the findings of the 2007 national forum on drug-related deaths in Scotland. Approximately 23% of all drug-related deaths in Scotland are intentional self-poisoning or of undetermined intent. It is recommended: suicide prevention be incorporated as part of the strategy to reduce drug-related harm; actions to prevent suicide include prioritizing training for front-line […]

Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour: a Literature Review

This literature review had two overarching aims: first, to describe & assess current knowledge regarding the societal & cultural factors associated with increased incidence of suicide (risk factors), & to delineate the population subgroups that are at increased risk of suicidal behaviour; & second, to describe & assess current knowledge regarding factors that promote resilience […]