DOCSLIB.ORG

Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense Evidence, Policies and Procedures, and Perspectives of Loss Survivors Rajeev Ramchand, Lynsay Ayer, Gail Fisher, Karen Chan Osilla, Dionne Barnes-Proby, Samuel Wertheimer C O R P O R A T I O N For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/t/RR586 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this publication. ISBN: 978-0-8330-8642-6 Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2015 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Cover: U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Shannon Hall Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.html. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Preface The suicide rate in the U.S. armed forces has almost doubled over the past decade. In response, a number of studies and initiatives have focused on preventing suicide among service mem- bers. Consistent across this research is the notion that while preventing suicide is paramount, responding to military suicides is equally important. To help the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) craft policies and procedures to better respond to suicides in its ranks, the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury asked the RAND National Defense Research Institute to do the following: • Collect pertinent information on policies and procedures in DoD and across the military services for responding to service member deaths generally and suicide specifically. • Document the extent to which DoD programs and policies reflect state-of-the-art suicide postvention practices. • Provide a snapshot of how installations across the services respond to suicides. • Develop recommendations for DoD to improve its response to suicides. This report presents the result of that effort. It was prepared specifically for military lead- ers, chaplains, behavioral health professionals, and other key personnel who are often involved in responding to a suicide. However, the results may be of interest to both federal and non- governmental organizations that are also called upon to provide services or otherwise respond to the tragic event of a service member taking his or her life. Importantly, this report attempts to systematically describe what organizations can hope to achieve by crafting a coordinated response to a suicide, what recommendations have been put forth to help organizations craft such a response, and what science exists to support those recommendations. This research was sponsored by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury and conducted within the Forces and Resources Policy Center of the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense Intelligence Community. For more information on the Forces and Resources Policy Center, see http://www.rand. org/nsrd/ndri/centers/frp.html or contact the director (contact information is provided on the web page). iii Contents Preface ........................................................................................................... iii Figure and Tables .............................................................................................. ix Summary ........................................................................................................ xi Acknowledgments ........................................................................................... xvii Abbreviations .................................................................................................. xix CHAPTER ONE Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 Background ....................................................................................................... 1 Purpose ............................................................................................................ 1 Approach .......................................................................................................... 2 The Evidence Base ............................................................................................. 2 DoD Policies and Procedures ................................................................................. 2 Analysis of Resource Guides .................................................................................. 2 Organization of This Report .................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER TWO Surveillance ...................................................................................................... 5 The Evidence Base................................................................................................ 5 Cause-of-Death Determination .............................................................................. 5 Uniform Definitions and Data Elements ................................................................... 7 Psychological Autopsies ....................................................................................... 7 DoD Policies and Procedures ................................................................................... 9 Criminal Investigations ....................................................................................... 9 Autopsies ........................................................................................................ 9 Line-of-Duty Investigations and Determinations .........................................................10 Surveillance, Reporting, and Information .................................................................11 Resource Guidelines ............................................................................................12 Sensitivity During Cause-of-Death Investigations ........................................................12 Pre-Planning ...................................................................................................14 Conclusion .......................................................................................................15 CHAPTER THREE Suicide Prevention After a Suicide .........................................................................17 The Evidence Base...............................................................................................17 Suicide Risk Among Loss Survivors ........................................................................17 v vi Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense Empirical Studies Examining Post-Suicide Prevention Activities .......................................18 Insight from the General Suicide Prevention Research...................................................21 Media Coverage of Suicide ................................................................................. 23 DoD Policies and Procedures ..................................................................................25 Revising Prevention Programs ...............................................................................25 Stand-Downs ................................................................................................. 26 Evaluations of Existing Programs .......................................................................... 26 Resource Guidelines ........................................................................................... 26 Pre-Planning .................................................................................................. 27 Identifying High-Risk Individuals ......................................................................... 27 Communication .............................................................................................. 28 Using, Reviewing, and Rejuvenating Suicide Prevention Training .................................... 28 Conclusion .......................................................................................................29 CHAPTER FOUR Helping Loss Survivors Grieve ..............................................................................31 The Evidence Base...............................................................................................31 Preventing and Treating Complicated Grief ...............................................................31 Grief-Focused Support for Suicide Loss Survivors (Not Specific to Complicated Grief) ............33 DoD Policies and Procedures ..................................................................................35
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Suicide Postvention Toolkit
    Suicide Postvention Toolkit: A Resource for Military Chaplains Steve Jensen Brigham Young University April 2016 Purpose The following toolkit is aimed at military chaplains to provide a reference guide and assist them when ministering to individuals bereaved by suicide, including families and unit members of the deceased. The toolkit consists of a concise summary of appropriate information concerning the impact of suicide on individuals and families, a case study from a completed suicide in a deployed environment, grief models, and postvention actions that can aid chaplains when performing core functions of advising leadership and providing spiritual care for military members and their families on matters pertaining to loss of a loved one, subordinate, or colleague to suicide. Above photo courtesy of Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman, August 18, 2014, Air Force Photos, accessed March 21, 2016, http://www.af.mil/News/Photos.aspx?igphoto=2000929456. Cover photo courtesy of Senior Airman Scott Jackson, Goodfellow Celebrates 75 Years with Flag Raising Reenactment, January 26, 2016, Air Force Photos, accessed March 21, 2016, http://www.af.mil/News/Photos.aspx?igphoto=2001338293. 2 Table of Contents Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4 Definition of Terms .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide, Older Men, and Masculinity
    Society and Mental Health 2018, Vol. 8(2) 157–173 “If You Were Like Me, You Ó American Sociological Association 2017 DOI: 10.1177/2156869317725890 Would Consider It Too”: journals.sagepub.com/home/smh Suicide, Older Men, and Masculinity Ester Carolina Apesoa-Varano1, Judith C. Barker2, and Ladson Hinton1 Abstract Rates of suicide are far higher for older men than for any other age or gender group. However, we know relatively little about how depressed older men think about suicide. This study addresses this gap by exploring how Latino and white non-Hispanic elderly men discuss why they would or would not contem- plate suicide. Men, aged 60 and older, were screened and assessed using standard instruments for clinical depression. Those meeting criteria were invited to participate in a 1.5 to 2.5-hour in-depth interview, in either English or Spanish. Interview data come from 77 men and included men with treated and untreated depression. Men linked depression to losing their economic role, sense of productivity, and familial respect. Their narratives of suicide highlighted central tenets of hegemonic masculinity. Men from both ethnic groups asserted that “being a man” involved strength and independent choice. For some men, sui- cide exemplifies these ideals; for most men suicide violates them. The majority of men who felt that suicide further violated their already fragile manhood either reclaimed a decisive masculine self or embraced a car- ing self, especially in relation to children and family. The latter pattern raises a theoretical question regard- ing the symbolic boundaries of hegemonic masculinity. Keywords suicide, masculinity, older men, self, emotional suffering The epidemiological data on suicide have been of the strongest risk factors for suicide-related quite consistent throughout the 19th and 20th cen- behavior (Crump et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Assisted Suicide
    Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development Volume 12 Issue 3 Volume 12, Summer 1997, Issue 3 Article 3 Just the Medical Facts: An Argument in Support of the Continued Ban on Physician-Assisted Suicide James J. Bopp Jr. Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.stjohns.edu/jcred This Symposium is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development by an authorized editor of St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. JUST THE MEDICAL FACTS: AN ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUED BAN ON PHYSICIAN- ASSISTED SUICIDE JAMES J. BoPP, JR.* Thank you very much; it is a pleasure to be here. Assisted suicide is a complex topic, as the first speaker has certainly demonstrated in his survey of opinions in ethics, morality and the law. 1 Assisted suicide is an intersection not only of those concepts, but also of medicine, 2 compassion, 3 and society's atti- * J.D., 1973, University of Florida, College of Law. Mr. Bopp is an attorney and scholar who has argued constitutional issues in numerous civil rights cases dealing with abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. Mr. Bopp has taught law at Indi- ana University and served as Deputy Attorney General for Indiana. Mr. Bopp is the founder, and has served as President since 1984, of the National Legal Center for the Medically Dependent and Disabled. He has testified before over 25 legis- lative committees, and in over 15 federal congressional and administrative hearings.
    [Show full text]
  • Homicide Studies: Ten Years After Its Inception
    Homicide Studies: Ten Years After Its Inception Proceedings of the 2007 Homicide Research Working Group Annual Symposium Minneapolis, Minnesota June 7-10 Edited by Katharina Gruenberg Lancaster University And C. Gabrielle Salfati John Jay College of Criminal Justice 1 Acknowledgements 2 The Homicide Research Working Group (HRWG) is an international and interdisciplinary organization of volunteers dedicated to cooperation among researchers and practitioners who are trying to understand and limit lethal violence. The HRWG has the following goals: to forge links between research, epidemiology and practical programs to reduce levels of mortality from violence; to promote improved data quality and the linking of diverse homicide data sources; to foster collaborative, interdisciplinary research on lethal and non-lethal violence; to encourage more efficient sharing of techniques for measuring and analyzing homicide; to create and maintain a communication network among those collecting, maintaining and analyzing homicide data sets; and to generate a stronger working relationship among homicide researchers. Homicide Research Working Group publications, which include the Proceedings of each annual Intensive Workshop (beginning in 1992), the HRWG Newsletter, and the contents of issues of the journal Homicide Studies (beginning in 1997), may be downloaded from the HRWG web site, which is maintained by the Inter-University Consortium of Political and Social Research, at the following address: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/HRWG/ Suggested citation: Lin Huff-Corzine Katharina Gruenberg, Gabrielle Salfati (Eds.) (2007). Homicide Studies: Ten Years After Its Inception. Proceedings of the 2007 Meeting of the Homicide Research Working Group. Minneapolis, MN : Homicide Research Working Group. The views expressed in these Proceedings are those of the authors and speakers, and not necessarily those of the Homicide Research Working Group or the editor of this volume.
    [Show full text]
  • The City of Milwaukee Health Department Office of Violence Prevention Implores City Residents to Increase Awareness and Action for Suicide Prevention
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: September 10, 2020 Contact: Vaynesia Kendrick Cell: (414) 562-7018 Email: [email protected] The City of Milwaukee Health Department Office of Violence Prevention Implores City Residents to Increase Awareness and Action for Suicide Prevention Mayor Tom Barrett to dedicate a Proclamation in honor of September’s National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month MILWAUKEE – The week of September 6th-12th, 2020 is National Suicide Prevention Week, and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. On this day, millions of people around the world join their voices to share a message of hope and healing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 800,000 people die by suicide in the world each year, which is approximately one death every 40 seconds. On September 10, 2020, Mayor Tom Barrett and the Office of Violence Prevention will join community supporters to honor suicide survivors, and issue a proclamation in remembrance of those who have died by suicide. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner, Milwaukee saw a 300% increase in suicides in the month of August alone. “The timing and urgency for increasing efforts to prevent suicide in our city cannot be understated. It is clear that people have been experiencing increased feelings of stress and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “We see the connection between major life events connected this virus, such as job loss, and increased feelings of depression, anxiety, distress, substance abuse and suicide. As we continue to fight this virus, we must keep finding ways to bring people together, be it virtually or socially distanced, to provide hope and support for a better future.” “Milwaukee residents should be able to access high quality prevention and mental health support services that allows them to recover and live a meaningful and healthy life,” Vaynesia Kendrick, Adolescent Suicide Prevention Specialist for the Office of Violence Prevention.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of National Suicide Prevention And
    EVALUATION OF NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AND SUICIDE REGISTRATION PROGRAMS IN IRAN COMMISSIONED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Prof. Ella Arensman Prof. Murad Khan February 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5 1. INTRODUCTION 7 2. FACTS AND FIGURES 11 3. FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVALUATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION AND SUICIDE 14 REGISTRATION PROGRAMS IN IRAN 4. FINDINGS FROM CONSULTATIONS 17 5. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND EVIDENCE BASED AND INFORMED NATIONAL 22 ACTION PLAN 6. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 28 7. GOVERNANCE AND COORDINATION 29 KEY FINDINGS 30 RECOMMENDATIONS 31 REFERENCES 34 APPENDICES 37 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the WHO Country Office in Iran, and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran, commissioned the evaluation of the national suicide prevention and suicide registration programs in Iran. Dr Mansour Ranjbar, Professor Ahmad Hajebi and Dr Kazem Malakouti prepared the consultation program in Iran, and they were involved in the consultation sessions and the review report. Dr Khalid Saeed was involved in the consultation sessions and contributed to the review report. Dr Alexandra Fleischmann was involved in the feedback meetings and contributed to the review report. Professor Mohsen Rezaeian contributed to the consultation sessions in Kerman and the feedback meetings. We are grateful to Dr Maryam Abbasinejad for her assistance with translations in the consultation sessions. We would like to thank all stakeholders and service representatives for their openness and valuable contributions during the review process and consultations. We thank Mr Niall McTernan for his assistance with the literature review and editing of the report.
    [Show full text]
  • Perceived Experiences and Family Functioning of Suicide Survivors
    Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine DigitalCommons@PCOM PCOM Psychology Dissertations Student Dissertations, Theses and Papers 2014 In Their Own Words: Perceived Experiences and Family Functioning of Suicide Survivors before and after Suicide Loss Wendy Shallcross Lam Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Lam, Wendy Shallcross, "In Their Own Words: Perceived Experiences and Family Functioning of Suicide Survivors before and after Suicide Loss" (2014). PCOM Psychology Dissertations. Paper 308. This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Dissertations, Theses and Papers at DigitalCommons@PCOM. It has been accepted for inclusion in PCOM Psychology Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@PCOM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Department of Psychology IN THEIR OWN WORDS: PERCEIVED EXPERIENCES AND FAMILY FUNCTIONING OF SUICIDE SURVIVORS BEFORE AND AFTER SUICIDE LOSS By Wendy Shallcross Lam Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Psychology May 2014 PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE DEP ARTlVtENt OF PSYCHOLOGY Dissertation Approval This is to certifY that the thesis presented to u.s by Wendy Shallc:~;oss La111 on the 29tJJ day of May 2014, in partial fulfillment of the requirements .for the deg!~e of Doctor of Psychology, has beeiJ. examined and is acceptaoie in both scholarship and lheraty quality, Committee Members' Signatures: Terri Erbacher, PhD, Chairperson Rosemary Mennuti, EdD Scott Poland, EdD Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chair, Department of Psychology iii Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who encouraged and supported me through the journey of graduate school, which has ultimately culminated in the completion of this dissertation.
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide-Related Research in Canada: a Descriptive Overview
    Suicide-Related Research in Canada: A Descriptive Overview A background paper prepared for the Workshop on Suicide-Related Research (Montréal: February, 2003) Jennifer White, M.A., Ed.D. Acknowledgements Sincere thanks to the following researchers who took the time to review drafts of this document: Dr. Roger Bland Ms. Gina Girard Dr. Michael Kral Dr. Antoon Leenaars Dr. Alain Lesage Dr. Paul Links Mr. Tom Lips Dr. Catalina Lopez de Lara Ms. Allison Malcolm Dr. Brian Mishara Dr. Barbara Paulson Dr. Isaac Sakinofsky Dr. Monique Séguin Ms. Bronwyn Shoush Dr. Michel Tousignant Dr. Gustavo Turecki Ms. Gayle Vincent Mr. Gregory Zed Their comprehensive commentary, experience and insights were invaluable in the preparation of this paper. This paper was originally developed and presented as a background information piece for the Workshop on Suicide-Related Research, held February 7 - 8, 2003 in Montréal, Québec. It was adapted from an original paper prepared by Jennifer White, EdD, for the Mental Health Promotion Unit of Health Canada. Based on feedback provided by workshop participants, this document was further reviewed and revised by the Canadian research community. Final revisions and updating of this document were coordinated by the Centre for Suicide Prevention in Calgary, with support from the Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide and Euthanasia in Montréal. A bibliography of Canadian suicide research references has been appended to this document. Further, an updated bibliography, developed by the Centre for Suicide Prevention and the Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide and Euthanasia, has been developed for Health Canada, and appears as a separate document.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Survivors in Preventing Suicide
    The Role of Survivors in Preventing Suicide If you are thinking of hurting yourself, or if you are concerned that someone else may be suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). When I got home, there was a phone message from my mother. I knew from her voice that something was very wrong. When I called her back and asked, “What happened?” she said she couldn’t tell me, that it was too dif- ficult. I insisted, and she replied with words I will never forget: “Kathy’s dead.” I went numb and dropped the phone. When I picked up the phone, my mother told me that Katherine had taken her own life. I couldn’t believe it. Why? I was brought into the world with an older sister, and I didn’t know how to make sense of it without her. I was devastated. As the weeks passed, I needed support, but my friends and family seemed uncomfortable talking with me about Kathy’s death. I felt alienated and alone. Finding a survivor support group helped me: at last it felt okay to talk about being angry at Kathy and missing her at the same time. Although my life will never be the same, I am beginning to find time to focus on other things. Table of Contents Introduction: The Loss of a Loved One by Suicide......................................................... 3 Taking Care of Yourself...................................................................................................... 3 Seeking Professional Support........................................................................................... 4 Supporting Survivors.......................................................................................................... 4 Helping Young People Cope with Suicide......................................................................... 5 Recognizing Warning Signs and Risk Factors................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Web Resources for Grief/Suicide Recovery
    CIRP RESOURCE WEB BASED RESOURCES: GRIEF/SUICIDE RECOVERY Suicide Prevention Resource Center www.sprc.org After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools http://www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/library/AfteraSuicideToolkitforSchools.pdf http://www.sprc.org/library_resources/items/after-suicide-toolkit-schools Suicide Prevention Basics http://www.sprc.org/basics/roles-suicide-prevention Role of Teacher in Preventing Suicide: In depth; suitable for staff development http://www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/Teachers.pdf At-a-Glance: Safe Reporting on Suicide for Reporters and Editors www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/library/at_a_glance.pdf National Suicide Prevention Lifeline www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Suicide lifeline calling information: Get Help http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/Default.aspx Contains information on the connection between suicide and bullying http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Warning signs and wallet card: What to do if you think a person is having suicidal thoughts http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/SuicideWarningSigns.aspx American Association of Suicidology www.suicidology.org Suicide Warning Signs: IS PATH WARM acronym http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/stats-and-tools/suicide-warning-signs http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DL FE-31.pdf http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/App_Files/Media/PDF/NSPL_WalletCard _AssessingRisk_GREEN.pdf (wallet card) Survivors of Suicide Fact Sheet http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=257&name=DLFE-
    [Show full text]
  • Survivors of Individuals Who Completed Suicide: the Nfluei Nce of Time Since the Loss Alexis M
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Master's Theses Graduate School 2015 Survivors of Individuals Who Completed Suicide: The nflueI nce of Time Since the Loss Alexis M. Rabalais Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses Part of the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Rabalais, Alexis M., "Survivors of Individuals Who Completed Suicide: The nflueI nce of Time Since the Loss" (2015). LSU Master's Theses. 2594. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/2594 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Master's Theses by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SURVIVORS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETED SUICIDE: THE INFLUENCE OF TIME SINCE THE LOSS A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work in The School of Social Work by Alexis M. Rabalais B.S., Louisiana State University, 2012 May 2015 Acknowledgements Many individuals were influential in guiding and/or supporting me in completing this professional aspiration. These individual are recognized below. To Dr. Scott E. Wilks, my thesis chairperson, thank you for believing in me and guiding me through this social work research process. You withstood my continuous emails and phone calls with professionalism. During stressful times, you offered sincere words of encouragement. Furthermore in the end, you sent a moving message that held the prestige of a respected friend and colleague.
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide Prevention and Public Health
    Saving Lives in New York: Suicide Prevention and Public Health Volume 2 Approaches and Special Populations New York State George E. Pataki Governor Office of Mental Health Sharon E. Carpinello, RN, PhD, Commissioner November 2005 HIS IS THE SECOND OF THREE VOLUMES which together comprise Saving Lives in New York: Suicide Prevention and Public Health, a com- prehensive, data-driven report on suicide, its risks and prevention, Treleased in May 2005 by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). Prepared by researchers at OMH, Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, the University of Rochester and the New York State Suicide Prevention Council, the report outlines a prevention strategy with two primary components: diagnose and effectively treat those who have a psychiatric condition that puts them at high risk to end their own life; and use community resources, family and friends to engage individu- als who harbor risk factors for suicide well before they become a danger to themselves. Volume One of the report includes an Executive Summary of all three vol- umes, a public health strategy for suicide prevention across New York State, and a plan for suicide prevention and public health in New York City. Volume One also includes recommendations and action steps that are designed to: improve access to mental health care and services; enhance identification of those at risk; restrict access to means of self-harm; and expand the knowledge base through research. Volume Two includes authored chapters that examine specific approaches to suicide prevention, and also review specific needs of identified popula- tions.
    [Show full text]