Resource Tag: UNITED STATES. KENTUCKY

Given the disproportionately high suicide rate of farmers in Kentucky and the unique cultural needs of farmers, a coalition was created to reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health. A targeted communications campaign was developed to provide information to farmers at risk. This paper describes the development and launch of the campaign, including […]

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This paper addresses suicide prevention, a problem that administrators in correctional facilities face on a daily basis. This policy paper analyzes the problem in depth by examining 2 alternative policies. The first is the Hayes et al 1995 report on the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center Suicide Prevention Plan. The second is a 1991 article by […]

The authors conducted a 10-year (1993-2002) retrospective review of suicide from all Medical Examiners’ offices in Kentucky. There were 2,864 suicides ranging between 11-96 years of age. The majority of victims were males & Caucasian. African-American females comprised the smallest group of suicides. The most common method of suicide was by firearms. Trends of suicide […]

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This article profiles self-reported substance use, health, & mental health problems (including suicidality), as well as lifetime service utilization, among a sample of incarcerated women in Kentucky. A high percentage of women reported use of alcohol, cocaine & multiple substances during the month before incarceration, as well as mental health problems including depression & anxiety. […]

The work of the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Planning Group, established in 2002, provides the framework for Kentucky’s response to the problem of suicide. This report presents the history, mission, & purpose of the Planning group, & provides an overview of its activities since its inception. It also identifies goals for future prevention work.

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The authors studied the association of certain weather variables with emergent psychiatric presentations, psychiatric admissions, incidence of violent crimes, & suicides in a metropolitan area. The data suggest that total numbers of acts of violence & emergency psychiatry visits are significantly associated with low barometric pressure. Psychiatric inpatient admissions & suicides are not associated with […]

In one 10-year period from 1907-1916 four Kentuckians, three former baseball players & the league president, completed suicide. This article briefly discusses the lives of Bob Lankswert, Harry Clay Pulliam, Dan McGann, & Eddie Hohnhorst.

This article discusses advances in the search for biochemcial markers that can identify people with a predisposition to self-destructive behaviours. It is speculated that doctors may someday be able to give people a test that measures their level of serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood & impulse control. The story of a man who […]

Suicide is more common among the elderly than any other age group. Elderly white males constitute the group at highest risk for suicide in the United States. Older persons typically choose means of high lethality in suicide attempts. Previous suicide attempts, bereavement, alochol abuse, depression, psychosis, physical illness, and social isolation are all risk factors […]

Data from death certificates in Kentucky in 1987 & 1988 for persons 65 years & older were analyzed. There were 205 suicides in the 2-year study period. Suicide rates were higher for the elderly than for any other population group. White men, the group at highest risk, committed approximately 80% of the suicides in the […]

Age-specific suicide rates are compared for Kentucky white farmers, Kentucky white males & US white males. Data for Kentucky is from 1979-85; for the US, from 1980. Overall, rates were highest for Kentucky farmers. All males were most likely to use firearms. Findings support the need to assess suicide rates in this occupational group in […]

This article reviews 260 patients with self-inflicted firearm injuries evaluated by psychiatric consultation over 12 years. Demographics, psychological issues (consultant & patient), & criteria for judging premediation & seriousness are discussed. The group consisted of primarily white males (aged 20-29 years). Alcohol was involved in 25% of cases. Most common site of injury for both […]

The results of a study of women who shoot themselves are: women who use guns differ in age & psychiatric diagnosis from men who use guns & from other women who OD; more women are using guns in attempts & are more likely to survive; the greater use of guns by women may be due […]

This paper presents the results of a case-control study of the relationship of socio-economic status (SES), relational system, service availability, perceived quality of life, and affective balance to attempted sucide. Subjects were white suicide attempters and controls of age 50+. Results indicated that lower SES, less help available in a crisis, Belonging to fewer organizations, […]

Cognitive therapy is based on the premise that cognition is a primary determinant of mood & behavior. Authors discuss it’s application to treating depression. They theorize that cognitive therapy can improve depressive mood by focusing on cognitions. (MRE)