Suicide Prevention strategies

Suicide stats for males

• males over 85 had the highest age specific suicide rate

• Males 45-49 highest age specific rate for this under 85 and account for largest portion of suicide deaths

ATSI suicide stats

• highest suicide rate 2012-2022

top 5 risk factors for suicide

• Mood disorders

• suicidal ideation

• relationship problems

• SH history

• anxiety disorders

Interpersonal theory of suicide

• thwarted belongingness

• perceived burdensomeness

• capability of suicide (repeated exposure to pain reduces inhibition against selfharm/suicide

suicide risk assessment

S - how specific is the plan to harm self or others

L - how lethal is the plan to harm self or others

A- how accessible is the method

P- what protective factors are there

Polyvagal theory

• the Vagus nerve controls the parasympathetic nervous system

• Neuroception is how the neural circuits decide if something is safe

• our nervous systems want to be connected to other nervous systems

Safety Plan - Suicide

• individual, collaborative document to address risk of suicide

• may take several session to develop

• ongoing review

• negotiated by the primary treating clinician with the person

Care plan - suicide

• simmilar to safety plan but includes

  • goals

  • crisis survival

  • support people

Aftercare and crisis care

• previous suicidal behavior is strongest predictor of further risk

• aftercare aims to improve access to resources and support 

• brief contact interventions: time limited contact with those discharged after admission for SH

• Continuity of care models: seek to improve quality and continuity of care

Psychosocial and Pharmacotherapy

• CBT

• other therapies

Frontline staff and gatekeepers

• Designated gatekeepers: formally trained persons such as GPs, Psychochologists

• Emergent gatekeepers: not trained, police, teachers, families etc

9 black dog strategies

• Aftercare and crisis care

• psychosocial and pharmacotherapy

• GP capacity

• Frontline staff

• Gatekeepers

• school programs

• community guidelines

• media guidelines

• means restrictions 

DBT skills

• Behavior skills: STOP skill, pros and cons, TIPP skills, distraction

self-soothing

• Reality Acceptance: Radical acceptance, turning the mind, willingness, Half smiling, mindfulness

TIPP skill

T - Temperature

I- intense exercise

P- paced breathing

P- paired muscle relaxation

Distraction (ACCEPTS)

A - Activities —> things neutral or opposite negative affect

C - Contributing —> helping someone else

C - Comparisons —> recast situation in positive light

E - Emotions —> Generate different emotions then current ones

P - Pushing away —> leaving

T - Thoughts —> other thought

S - Sensations- intense different sensations