Crisis
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Background: Information on methods of suicide is available online, and access to information on methods of suicide appears to contribute to a small but significant proportion of suicides. There is limited documentation of how methods of suicide are being profiled, as well as what content exists in other languages than English. Aim: We aimed to analyze and compare how methods of suicide are profiled on Danish and English-language websites. ⋯ Limitations: Only one author coded and analyzed all websites. A further operationalization of the content analysis checklist is warranted to increase reliability. Conclusion: The websites primarily had a prevention or anti-suicide focus, but information on methods of suicide was available, requiring an increased focus on how to diminish the negative effects of harmful online content.
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Background: Youth experiencing homelessness are at risk for sex trafficking and mental health concerns. Aims: More information is needed to elucidate the prevalence and characteristics of suicidal ideation and behavior among youth experiencing sex trafficking. Method: The present study examined suicidal ideation and behavior in a convenience sample of 128 youths experiencing homelessness aged 12-25 years in metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana. ⋯ Additionally, of those who reported experiencing suicidal ideation, the majority (84.4%) reported they had attempted suicide in their lifetime. Limitations: This study relied on a convenience sample of youth receiving services in the Kentuckiana region and brief, self-report measures yielding categorical data. Conclusion: Programs servicing youth experiencing homelessness should require additional training and resources regarding the identification, screening, and assessment of youth who are at risk of or who have experienced sex trafficking in order to more quickly connect youth with much-needed, trauma-informed services.
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Suicide is a leading cause of mortality in prisoners worldwide, yet empirical data on this matter are lacking in Belgium. ⋯ Suicide is a common, preventable cause of death among prisoners in Belgium. The results underscore the timely need for national standards and guidelines for suicide prevention in Belgian prisons.
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There is no commonly accepted definition of the term self-harm, and there is an ongoing debate about whether or not it should include acts of attempted suicide. The use of this language in clinical practice has not previously been explored. ⋯ This study adds to a body of evidence which argues against the dichotomous separation of these behaviors into acts of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-harm.Our findings suggest there is no common understanding of the boundaries between self-harm and attempted suicide among frontline clinicians. The language currently used, and consequent practice, particularly with regard to risk assessment, is problematic. Efforts should be made to operationalize terms around suicidal behavior and to incorporate these into training for clinical staff.