Weekly News Roundup July 10 – 17, 2016
Hello Friends,
Every day we scan news headlines and social media for items of interest to the
field of suicide prevention. Here’s what we found last week:
How
Pokemon Go can help fight mental illness – CBC
July 17, 2016
A new Pokemon game is encouraging its players to get outside to complete the
objective of the game, which is to “catch” Pokemon. Previously, the
game was played on devices only, but now players are required to get up and go
outside to play on its “augmented reality” format. Many are saying
that this is having a positive effect on their mental health, especially those
who are socially isolated. This story in particular talks about one woman who
experienced such severe anxiety that she was unable to leave the house, but
since playing Pokemon Go has found it easier to overcome her anxiety. Dr. Ganz
Ferrance, a psychologist, suggested that Pokemon Go “distracts them from
the anxiety they would normally feel, it breaks up the cycle.”
Call
for Indigenous suicide inquiry – 9
News
Along with Canada, Australia also faces high rates of suicide among their
Indigenous population. Now, an Indigenous health service is asking the
Government of Australia for a royal commission into “the appallingly high
suicide rate among Indigenous people."
Telephone
follow-up and suicide attempts – SPRC
July 15, 2016
One
study found that suicide attempt survivors who were followed-up with a
phone call after being discharged from hospital were less likely to attempt
suicide again in that same year, when compared with those who hadn’t been
contacted. However, a
follow-up study has found that over a period of 5 years, "there were
no significant differences in the rate of additional suicide attempts among
patients who had been called and patients who had not been called.”
External
reviewer called to Toronto Star after suicide – Macleans
July 13, 2016
The Toronto Star will bring in an external reviewer to conduct an independent
investigation of the newroom’s “poisonous workplace where ‘harassment’ and
‘bullying’ are rife.” The investigation comes after a formal request was
made by the union representing Star journalists, in relation to the suicide
death of Star employee Raveena Aulakh.
Depression
and Suicide Resources for LGBT Teens – Teen
Vogue
July 13, 2016
Steve Mendelsohn, Deputy Executive Director of the Trevor Project,
discusses the high rates of suicide in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and especially
transgender people. He also talks about the resources available to this
demographic through his organization – including a hotline, online chat, and
text line.
Suicide
rate is 22 percent higher in people with epilepsy than the general population
– Neuroscience News
July 12, 2016
A
new study released by the Centers for Disease Control in the US has found a
link between epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, and suicide. The overall suicide
rate for people with epilepsy was 22% higher than the general population.