Suicide Prevention
Key facts
- Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year.
- For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds.
- 79% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
A suicide attempt is the strongest risk factor for subsequent suicide, with the risk of repetition remaining high up to 12 months after an attempt. As such, improving the care received by people after a suicide attempt is important for reducing suicide attempts and deaths.
We work with our clients to improve the quality and continuity of care following a suicide attempt. We facilitate strong collaboration between your GP,s Psychiatrist, family or your support personnel and any online 24hr support.
To reduce the risk of a subsequent attempt, brief contact interventions are applied followed by coordinated, assertive aftercare. The latter approach is also known as continuity of care models where we seek to improve the quality and continuity of care following a suicide attempt. These models maintain long-term care through the implementation of a systematic ‘chain of care’ that links general hospitals and community aftercare services with clients discharged following a suicide attempt.
We develop programs that impact modifiable risk factors for suicide including depression, anxiety, psychological pain, and hopelessness. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy, has been found to be effective in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Evidence-based psychotherapies have been shown to be efficacious and cost-effective for a wide range of psychiatric conditions. Psychotherapy is particularly effective for high-risk individuals such as those with borderline personality disorder or patients admitted to an emergency department after a suicide attempt.
Effective psychotherapies to reduce suicidal thoughts include
- Collaborative assessment and management of suicidality,
- cognitive behaviour therapy, and psychodynamic interpersonal therapy – for adults
- Attachment-based family therapy – for adolescents.
PTSD has been associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation, attempts, and death, research has increasingly focused on identifying the factors driving this connection. Emotions, particularly those of shame and guilt, appear to play a central role in this increased risk (Bryan, Morrow, et al., 2013; Bryan, Ray-Sannerud, Morrow, & Etienne, 2013a, 2013b; Bryan, Rudd, et al., 2013; Cunningham et al., 2017, 2018).
Epidemiological research has identified a number of risk factors for suicide, including mental disorders (particularly depression, bipolar disorder, and psychoses), substance abuse, and terminal physical illness (Franklin et al., 2017). Psychological autopsy studies have also identified traumatic events and exposure to risk factors that are associated with suicide such as being a victim of child abuse or domestic violence, relationship breakup, loss of someone close, job or financial loss (Franklin et al., 2017).
Warning Signs
- Talking about killing or harming one’s self
- Expressing strong feelings of hopelessness or being trapped or having no purpose
- Withdrawal and feeling isolated
- An unusual preoccupation with death or dying
- Acting recklessly, as if they have a death wish (e.g. speeding through red lights)
- Calling or visiting people to say goodbye
- Getting affairs in order (giving away prized possessions, tying up loose ends finalising will)
- Saying things like “Everyone would be better off without me” or “I want out” or what's the point, "no one will notice I am gone"
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Acting, anxious, agitated or reckless
- Talking about being a burden on others
- Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain
- A sudden switch from being extremely depressed to acting calm and happy
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- Displaying extreme mood swings
- Past suicidal behaviour or ideation
If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, express your concerns and try to seek help immediately. One of the myths is talking about suicide will intensify thoughts. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. Reach out Suicide Prevention or organisations such as Lifeline