Is It Rational to Pursue Zero Suicides Among Patients in Health Care?

Musicians, the music industry, and suicide: epidemiology, risk factors, and suggested prevention approaches

Evidence suggests that popular musicians are an at-risk occupational group for suicide, with the deaths of famous musicians in the '27 Club' reinforcing culturally powerful notions of musicianship and early mortality. This cross-disciplinary paper advances our understanding of the factors that may increase the risk for suicide among musicians and offers clinical recommendations around screening and prevention. First, we synthesise extant literature on suicide risk among musicians from around the world, including emerging evidence from Korea, and evaluate some of the methodological challenges presented in the analysis of suicide data on musicians. Second, given the lack of musician-specific forms of suicide prevention intervention, we draw on the Zero Suicide Framework and apply this schematic to musicians and the wider music industries, analysing the latest evidence on suicide screening, assessment, and prevention to develop best practices in this at-risk population. In doing so, we offer a comprehensive and clinically relevant overview of this most tragic of cultural affinities to improve strategies to prevent this devastating and all too frequent feature of musical life.

Requirements for effective investigation and learning after suicide: the views of persons with lived experience and professionals

Objective

This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of what persons with lived experience and professionals with experience of patient safety, suicide research, and investigations consider to be most important in investigations of healthcare before suicide to learn and improve the care of suicidal patients.

Method

This is a qualitative study based on 15 semistructured interviews with persons with lived experience of suicidality and professionals. Thematic analysis was used.

Results

The persons with lived experience and the professionals agreed that a holistic approach to the investigations is crucial. They should embrace a longer period of time, involve family and significant others, integrate the perspective and expectations of the patient, and analyze factors of significance for suicidality, suicide prevention, and safety. There is a need to improve the investigations through the involvement of all stakeholders and actors, securing competence in the investigation team and prioritizing cases to investigate.

Conclusions

Substantial changes in the approach and performance of investigations of suicide in healthcare are needed to make these investigations valuable for increasing the safety of the care of suicidal patients. A holistic perspective during the analysis is crucial for understanding the suicidal process, the interacting factors, and the care process preceding suicide. Competencies in suicidality, suicide prevention, and patient safety must be included in the analysis team to ensure high quality and relevance. To improve the value of these investigations, we suggest establishing a template based on current knowledge to ensure attention to variables of significance for a safe care of suicidal patients.

Descriptive analysis of 1,048 presentations in the first five years of a zero-suicide framework in a child and youth mental health service in Australia

Introduction

Suicide in children is a significant and unacceptable global phenomenon. This paper provides a descriptive overview of the children presenting in the first five years (2016-2021) of the implementation of the Zero Suicide Framework (ZSF) and Suicide Prevention Pathway (SPP) at a Child and Youth Mental Health Service in Queensland, Australia.

Methods

Basic demographic variables (sex, age, socioeconomic status), and changes in presentations over time, are presented for 1,048 children. Completeness of selected SPP components relating to care planning and universal interventions are examined as an indicator of fidelity to the SPP model of care. The paper then focuses on the cohort of children who received care through the SPP in 2020, describing their demographic characteristics and baseline clinical scores.

Result

There was an increase in admissions each year and children presented with a diverse range of clinical needs. The SPP greatly increased the provision of first line interventions for patients.

Discussion

A standardized approach to suicide prevention improves consistency in management. These findings may inform the use of the ZSF/SPP in child mental health settings globally.

Practice-based insights from specialized clinicians into youth suicide risk assessment and psychotherapy: A qualitative study

Objective: The experience of frontline clinicians is an underutilized source of knowledge about improving youth suicide intervention. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of highly experienced, specialized mental health clinicians on the practical application of risk assessment, stabilization, and treatment and their experience of working in this practice area.Method: Data were collected from seven focus groups with 28 clinicians and analyzed using consensual qualitative research methods.Results: Four domains emerged, describing 1) youth suicide intervention as relationally focused and attachment-informed, 2) the need for flexible and tailored care balancing individual and family intervention in the context of family complexity and fractured relationships, 3) a nuanced, therapeutic approach to managing the complexity and uncertainty of adolescent suicide risk, and 4) working in youth suicide intervention as emotionally demanding and facilitated or hampered by the organizational and systems context.Conclusion: The importance of harnessing family systems and attachment-informed approaches to alliance, risk assessment, and treatment was emphasized, along with the parallel need for systemic clinician support and consideration of the potential negative consequences of administrative and risk management protocols.

The implementation of a zero-suicide framework in a child and youth mental health service in Australia: processes and learnings

Suicide in children is a significant and growing problem. The "zero suicide" framework (ZSF) is one approach to suicide prevention used in health services for adults and children. This paper reports on the introduction of the first suicide prevention pathway (SPP) based on ZSF at a Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) in Australia. It begins by describing the adaptations made to elements of the SPP originally designed for adults to meet the needs of children. Lessons learned in applying the SPP in the service are then discussed. The aim is to inform and improve practice in the use of zero suicide approaches in child and youth mental health settings in Australia and worldwide.

The process and perspective of serious incident investigations in adult community mental health services: integrative review and synthesis

AIMS AND METHOD

Serious incident management and organisational learning are international patient safety priorities. Little is known about the quality of suicide investigations and, in turn, the potential for organisational learning. Suicide risk assessment is acknowledged as a complex phenomenon, particularly in the context of adult community mental health services. Root cause analysis (RCA) is the dominant investigative approach, although the evidence base underpinning RCA is contested, with little attention paid to the patient in context and their cumulative risk over time.

RESULTS

Recent literature proposes a safety-II approach in response to the limitations of RCA. The importance of applying these approaches within a mental healthcare system that advocates a zero suicide framework, grounded in a restorative just culture, is highlighted.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Although integrative reviews and syntheses have clear methodological limitations, this approach facilitates the management of a disparate body of work to advance a critical understanding of patient safety in adult community mental healthcare.

The phantasm of zero suicide

Governments and non-governmental organisations are increasingly adopting a 'zero-suicide' goal, but what such a goal precisely involves is unclear. Ostensibly it strongly prioritises the prevention and elimination of all suicide. We argue that, so understood, a societal goal of zero suicide risks contravening several ethical principles. In terms of beneficence and non-maleficence, a 'zero-suicide' goal risks being inefficient and may burden or harm many people. Autonomy-wise, a blanket ban on all suicide is excessive. As regards social justice, zero suicide risks focusing on the symptoms of social malaise instead of the structures causing it. With respect to transparency, a 'zero' goal that cannot be met makes these authorities look detached and risks frustration, distrust and, worse, stigmatisation of suicide and of mental health conditions. Instead, we propose a middle path for suicide prevention, founded on harm reduction, 'soft group paternalism' and efforts directed at increased quality of life for disadvantaged groups. Although soft group paternalism respects autonomy, this approach permits coercive interferences in certain circumstances. We hope that the justificatory framework tying together these largely familiar elements is novel and sensible.

Suicide Risk Assessments: A Scientific and Ethical Critique

There are widely held premises that suicide is almost exclusively the result of mental illness and there is "strong evidence for successfully detecting and managing suicidality in healthcare" (Hogan and Grumet, 2016). In this context, 'zero-suicide' policies have emerged, and suicide risk assessment tools have become a normative component of psychiatric practice. This essay discusses how suicide evolved from a moral to a medical problem and how, in an effort to reduce suicide, a paternalistic healthcare response emerged to predict those at high risk. The evidence for the premises is critiqued and shown to be problematic; and it is found that strong paternalistic interventions are being used more often than acknowledged. Using a Principles approach, the ethics of overriding autonomy in suicide prevention is considered. Ethical concerns are identified with the current approach which are potentially amplified by the use of these risk assessments. Furthermore, it is identified that the widespread use of risk assessments in health settings is equivalent to screening without regard to the ethical principles of screening. The essay concludes that this is unethical; that we should abandon the use of standardized suicide risk assessments and 'zero-suicide' policy; and that this may improve outcomes.

Establishing a Guide for Developing Organizational Support in Healthcare Following a Critical or Sentinel Event

Health professionals require support and recognition to help manage the well-known impact of critical or sentinel events relating to patient care. The potential distress can be magnified or mitigated by the response of the organization and colleagues. However, strategies that are accessible, relevant, and effective in the aftermath of a poor outcome are not well established. Using an action research methodology, a support tool was collaboratively designed, developed, and evaluated in a maternity service of one organization and adapted to the mental health and addiction service in another. Four principles that are intrinsic to the establishment of support tools became apparent across the two settings. Through applying these criteria to the customization of the support tool, it became relevant within the new service setting, and an implementation guide for other organizations was created. Although undertaken pre-pandemic, insights derived from this study may benefit post-pandemic situations where the need for health professional support is even greater.

Formative evaluation of Zero Suicide in the emergency department: Identifying strategies to overcome implementation barriers

BACKGROUND

Zero Suicide has been widely promoted as a comprehensive suicide prevention approach in healthcare systems, yet less is known about the barriers to implementing this approach in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES

This developmental evaluation aimed to assess emergency department providers' perceived knowledge and self-efficacy regarding suicide prevention practices, as well as apply the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to explore potential facilitators and barriers to implementing Zero Suicide and identify strategies to overcome barriers.

METHODS

A sequential mixed methods approach was used, including a survey assessing emergency department providers' perceived knowledge and attitudes and semi-structured interviews exploring potential determinants of implementation.

RESULTS

Survey respondents (n = 43) perceived that they have the knowledge and self-efficacy to implement clinical elements of Zero Suicide; however, interview participants (n = 18) revealed that some clinical elements are not implemented consistently and perceive implementation barriers across multiple levels, including limited training on suicide risk assessment and limited resources needed to engage and re-engage at-risk patients in their suicide care management plan and provide follow-up supportive contacts during patients' transitions in care.

CONCLUSION

To overcome identified barriers in this setting, targeted implementation strategies are needed, including integration in electronic health record systems, leadership advocacy, and ongoing staff training.

Implementing changes after patient suicides in mental health services: A systematic review

Suicides by mental health patients account for around a quarter of all suicides (Walby et al, 2018). Within services a range of approaches have been developed and implemented to reduce the risk of patient suicides. After every patient death by suicide, a review is carried out to identify recommendations which may assist in preventing future suicides. It is therefore important to identify the most effective methods for implementing these recommendations. The objective of this systematic review, completed in Northern Ireland, was to identify how recommendations from Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) reviews can be effectively implemented to contribute to reducing deaths by suicide within mental health services. Eleven electronic databases were searched for relevant work from 1 January 2005-30 November 2020. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies were included. A narrative synthesis was carried out of published and unpublished work on the effectiveness of implementing recommendations, after a death by suicide in mental health services. The review, which includes 41 published papers and reports, found that the literature is focused on producing recommendations to reduce future risk of suicide in mental health services. There is a lack of focus on the extent and effectiveness of the implementation of these. Recommendations have often not been tested or operationalised, limiting the translational value of these contributions. Leadership and culture are also identified as key drivers for change in mental health services. This review demonstrates that high quality research is being complete in this area, however, the majority of published research presents recommendations from reviews of mental health patient suicides. There is a lack of research focusing on implementing recommendations and evaluation of implementation, once recommendations have been made.

Consumer and Carer Perspectives of a Zero Suicide Prevention Program: A Qualitative Study

This study explored the experiences of healthcare consumers who had recently attempted suicide, and their carers, following placement on a Suicide Prevention Pathway based on the Zero Suicide framework. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 consumers and 5 carers using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was applied to identify prominent themes and sub-themes. Three interrelated themes were identified. The first theme was 'Feeling safe and valued' with the associated sub-theme pertaining to perceived stigmatizing treatment and self-stigma. The second was 'Intersection of consumer and staff/organizational needs' with a related sub-theme of time pressure and reduced self-disclosure. The final theme was 'Importance of the 'whole picture', highlighting the relevance of assessing and addressing psychosocial factors when planning for consumer recovery. Overall, consumers and their carers reported a favorable experience of the Suicide Prevention Pathway; however, there were several areas identified for improvement. These included reconciling the time-pressures of a busy health service system, ensuring consumers and carers feel their psychosocial concerns are addressed, and ensuring that adequate rapport is developed. Key to this is ensuring consumers feel cared for and reducing perceptions of stigma.

Efficacy of the Zero Suicide framework in reducing recurrent suicide attempts: cross-sectional and time-to-recurrent-event analyses

BACKGROUND

The Zero Suicide framework is a system-wide approach to prevent suicides in health services. It has been implemented worldwide but has a poor evidence-base of effectiveness.

AIMS

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Zero Suicide framework, implemented in a clinical suicide prevention pathway (SPP) by a large public mental health service in Australia, in reducing repeated suicide attempts after an index attempt.

METHOD

A total of 604 persons with 737 suicide attempt presentations were identified between 1 July and 31 December 2017. Relative risk for a subsequent suicide attempt within various time periods was calculated using cross-sectional analysis. Subsequently, a 10-year suicide attempt history (2009-2018) for the cohort was used in time-to-recurrent-event analyses.

RESULTS

Placement on the SPP reduced risk for a repeated suicide attempt within 7 days (RR = 0.29; 95% CI 0.11-0.75), 14 days (RR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.18-0.78), 30 days (RR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.33-0.94) and 90 days (RR = 0.62; 95% CI 0.41-0.95). Time-to-recurrent event analysis showed that SPP placement extended time to re-presentation (HR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.57-0.67). A diagnosis of personality disorder (HR = 2.70; 95% CI 2.03-3.58), previous suicide attempt (HR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.46-2.17) and Indigenous status (HR = 1.46; 95% CI 0.98-2.25) increased the hazard for re-presentation, whereas older age decreased it (HR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.86-0.98). The effect of the SPP was similar across all groups, reducing the risk of re-presentation to about 65% of that seen in those not placed on the SPP.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper demonstrates a reduction in repeated suicide attempts after an index attempt and a longer time to a subsequent attempt for those receiving multilevel care based on the Zero Suicide framework.

Root causes of deaths by suicide among patients under the care of a mental health trust: thematic analysis

AIMS AND METHOD

This study explored the root causes of deaths by suicide among patients under the care of a mental health trust. Thematic analysis was carried out to identify themes from the serious incident reports for patients between 1 January 2017 and 31 July 2018.

RESULTS

In total, 48 cases were reviewed. Three main themes emerged from this study: patient-, professional- and organisation-related factors. The majority of the deaths were caused by patient-related factors, particularly exacerbation of the patient's mental health condition.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study provides insight into perceived causes of death by suicide among mental health patients. It is hoped that this will, in turn, influence the manner in which decisions, policies and resource allocation are carried out to further prevent and reduce the incidence of suicide, particularly among mental health patients.

Might Informal Carers of Adults With Enduring Suicidality Experience Anticipatory Loss?

Carers of loved ones who repeatedly express suicidal intent and/or engage in suicidal behavior may experience a sense of anticipation of eventual suicide due to the potential of a fatal act of self-harm. An understanding of John Rolland's concept of anticipatory loss may help clinicians understand and attend to the experiences of carers of adults who engage in repeated suicidal behavior. Indeed, there appear to be some similarities between this model of anticipatory loss and experiences of informal carers, indicating that the phenomenon, which is hitherto under-explored in the suicidology field, may merit further consideration.

Implementing a systems approach to suicide prevention in a mental health service using the Zero Suicide Framework

OBJECTIVE

The Zero Suicide Framework, a systems approach to suicide prevention within a health service, is being implemented across a number of states in Australia, and internationally, although there is limited published evidence for its effectiveness. This paper aims to provide a description of the implementation process within a large health service in Australia and describes some of the outcomes to date and learnings from this process.

METHOD

Gold Coast Mental Health and Specialist Services has undertaken an implementation of the Zero Suicide Framework commencing in late 2015, aiming for high fidelity to the seven key elements. This paper describes the practical steps undertaken by the service, the new practices embedded, emphasis on supporting staff following the principles of restorative just culture and the development of an evaluation framework to support a continuous quality improvement approach.

RESULTS

Improvements have been demonstrated in terms of processes implementation, enhanced staff skills and confidence, positive cultural change and innovations in areas such as the use of machine learning for identification of suicide presentations. A change to 'business as usual' has benefited thousands of consumers since the implementation of a Suicide Prevention Pathway in late 2016 and achieved reductions in rates of repeated suicide attempts and deaths by suicide in Gold Coast Mental Health and Specialist Services consumers.

CONCLUSION

An all-of-service, systems approach to suicide prevention with a strong focus on cultural shifts and aspirational goals can be successfully implemented within a mental health service with only modest additional resources when supported by engaged leadership across the organisation. A continuous quality improvement approach is vital in the relentless pursuit of zero suicides in healthcare.

Communicating suicide risk to families of chronically suicidal borderline personality disorder patients to mitigate malpractice risk

OBJECTIVE

The distinction between acute and chronic suicidality is important, because interventions designed to address acute suicidality can worsen chronic suicidality, resulting in an escalating cycle of suicide threats, suicide attempts, and futile hospitalizations. Though most chronically suicidal borderline personality disorder patients improve and do not complete suicide, the potential for suicide contributes to these hospitalizations and a paucity of outpatient services due to treaters' concern over malpractice lawsuits in case of suicide. Communicating with patients' families about the suicide risk has been suggested as a means to mitigate this malpractice risk, but the approach to such communication has not been described.

METHOD

Once chronic suicidality is identified, a stepwise approach to communicating with the patient's family is described.

RESULTS

The potential benefits of this risk communication are described, for patients, families, treaters, healthcare systems, and health and malpractice insurers.

CONCLUSION

It helps to develop an alliance with families and patients around a shared understanding of outcomes in chronic suicidality - most eventually do better, but the risk of completed suicide is real. This enables patients and families to make a more fully informed choice about treatment, which in turn can reduce litigation risk in the minority of cases where the patient completes suicide.

[Suicide prevention, review of the WHO model and reflection on its development in Spain. SESPAS Report 2020]

In recent years, awareness of the impact of suicidal behavior on our society has been increasing, as well as the interest in measures aimed at preventing it or reducing the damage caused. Having the multidisciplinary suicide prevention model promoted by the World Health Organization as a road map, this article makes a non-exhaustive review of the evidence behind the different types of intervention within the model, reviews some outstanding initiatives and reflect on the development of this model in our country. Websites of biomedical databases, institutions and reference documentation centers in suicide prevention have been consulted, identifying and reviewing technical reports and systematic review articles published since 2010. Numerous knowledge gaps have been identified. The evidence seems to be more solid and contrasted in favor of health-type interventions with patients at risk (indicated prevention), although this approach would be insufficient to face the phenomenon. Relatively recent and promising evidence shows the potential of other forms of prevention, particularly multidisciplinary models that incorporate action on vulnerable groups in the community and throughout society (selective and universal prevention), and that would be more in line with the complex and multifactorial nature of suicide. The application of these models is still very scarce in our country, in which the healthcare-health model has predominated. It would be convenient to give greater prominence to public health professionals in order to promote the development of these approaches, with which they are more used to working.

Inconvenient truths in suicide prevention: Why a Restorative Just Culture should be implemented alongside a Zero Suicide Framework

OBJECTIVE

The prevailing paradigm in suicide prevention continues to contribute to the nihilism regarding the ability to prevent suicides in healthcare settings and a sense of blame following adverse incidents. In this paper, these issues are discussed through the lens of clinicians' experiences as second victims following a loss of a consumer to suicide, and the lens of health care organisations.

METHOD

We discuss challenges related to the fallacy of risk prediction (erroneous belief that risk screening can be used to predict risk or allocate resources), and incident reviews that maintain a retrospective linear focus on errors and are highly influenced by hindsight and outcome biases.

RESULTS

An argument that a Restorative Just Culture should be implemented alongside a Zero Suicide Framework is developed.

CONCLUSIONS

The current use of algorithms to determine culpability following adverse incidents, and a linear approach to learning ignores the complexity of the healthcare settings and can have devastating effects on staff and the broader healthcare community. These issues represent 'inconvenient truths' that must be identified, reconciled and integrated into our future pathways towards reducing suicides in health care. The introduction of Zero Suicide Framework can support the much-needed transition from relying on a retrospective focus on errors (Safety I) to a more prospective focus which acknowledges the complexities of healthcare (Safety II), when based on the Restorative Just Culture principles. Restorative Just Culture replaces backward-looking accountability with a focus on the hurts, needs and obligations of all who are affected by the event. In this paper, we argue that the implementation of Zero Suicide Framework may be compromised if not supported by a substantial workplace cultural change. The process of responding to critical incidents implemented at the Gold Coast Mental Health and Specialist Services is provided as an example of a successful implementation of Restorative Just Culture-based principles that has achieved a culture change required to support learning, improving and healing for our consumers, their families, our staff and broader communities.

Prioritizing suicide prevention guideline recommendations in specialist mental healthcare: a Delphi study

BACKGROUND

The Delphi technique is a proven and reliable method to create common definitions and to achieve convergence of opinion. This study aimed to prioritize suicide prevention guideline recommendations and to develop a set of quality indicators (QIs) for suicide prevention in specialist mental healthcare.

METHODS

This study selected 12 key recommendations from the guideline to modify them into QIs. After feedback from two face-to-face workgroup sessions, 11 recommendations were rephrased and selected to serve as QIs. Next, a Delphi study with the 11 QIs was performed to achieve convergence of opinion among a panel of 90 participants (23 suicide experts, 23 members of patients' advisory boards or experts with experiences in suicidal behavior and 44 mental healthcare professionals). The participants scored the 11 QIs on two selection criteria: relevance (it affects the number of suicides in the institution) and action orientation (institutions or professionals themselves can influence it) using a 5-point Likert scale. Also, data analysts working in mental healthcare institutions (MHIs) rated each QI on feasibility (is it feasible to monitor and extract from existing systems). Consensus was defined as 70% agreement with priority scores of four or five.

RESULTS

Out of the 11 recommendations, participants prioritized five recommendations as relevant and action-oriented in optimizing the quality of care for suicide prevention: 1) screening for suicidal thoughts and behavior, 2) safety plan, 3) early follow-up on discharge, 4) continuity of care and 5) involving family or significant others. Only one of the 11 recommendations early follow-up on discharge reached consensus on all three selection criteria (relevance, action orientation, and feasibility).

CONCLUSIONS

The prioritization of relevant and action-oriented suicide prevention guideline recommendations is an important step towards the improvement of quality of care in specialist mental healthcare.

Suicide prevention in community mental health: changing systems

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a performance improvement process related to suicide assessment in a community mental health center. As suicide rates rise in the USA, it is crucial that community mental health providers are capable and comfortable to assess for suicide risk among individuals with mental illness. Support for healthcare providers is emphasized in the quadruple aim model of enhancing healthcare delivery and patient experience. The quadruple aim model is applied in the present performance improvement project in a community mental health center.

Design/methodology/approach

An interprofessional team used provider survey responses, critical incident data and other stakeholder input to implement a new assessment mechanism and education plan to support direct care staff to address suicide risk.

Findings

Although the rate of patient death by suicide at the community mental health center is low, managing risk is a frequent provider concern. Providers’ comfort assessing and managing suicide risk varied widely based on survey responses. A structured suicide assessment process was implemented to offer clarity and direction for providers. Education to address assessment and management was designed and implemented.

Research limitations/implications

Suicide data were retrospective and limited to known deaths, thus there may have been higher numbers of deaths by suicide historically. Providers’ comfort with suicide risk management was based on self-report and future work should also integrate skills-based assessment.

Originality/value

Improving the provider experience in mental health care must be explored. Focusing on provider input and voice in suicide-related efforts in community settings is a step toward integrating the quadruple aim ideals into mental health care.

Characteristics of Child Psychiatric Outpatients at Highest Risk for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

On average, compared to non-referred youth, child psychiatric outpatients show elevated rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), which are predictors of completed suicide. Determining the psychopathology features that associate with highest risk for STBs among youth outpatients may yield opportunities for targeted prevention/intervention. Yet, outpatient studies are limited and have not systematically examined comorbidity and dimensional psychopathology. In 758 youth, aged 6-18, consecutively referred for neuropsychiatric evaluation, we examined the extent to which diagnostic groups, comorbid subgroups and dimensional symptoms associated with STBs. After controlling for comorbidity, mood, anxiety and conduct disorders associated with elevated STB risk. Regarding dimensions, symptoms of depression, aggression and psychosis all contributed to higher STB risk. Although ADHD (as a diagnosis or dimension) did not associate with elevated STB risk independently, ADHD that was comorbid with other conditions did. Suicide prevention/intervention efforts should be investigated in youth outpatients with the highest risk for STBs.

Looking to the Future: A Synthesis of New Developments and Challenges in Suicide Research and Prevention

Suicide and attempted suicide are major public health concerns. In recent decades, there have been many welcome developments in understanding and preventing suicide, as well as good progress in intervening with those who have attempted suicide. Despite these developments, though, considerable challenges remain. In this article, we explore both the recent developments and the challenges ahead for the field of suicide research and prevention. To do so, we consulted 32 experts from 12 countries spanning four continents who had contributed to the International Handbook of Suicide Prevention (2nd edition). All contributors nominated, in their view, (i) the top 3 most exciting new developments in suicide research and prevention in recent years, and (ii) the top 3 challenges. We have synthesized their suggestions into new developments and challenges in research and practice, giving due attention to implications for psychosocial interventions. This Perspective article is not a review of the literature, although we did draw from the suicide research literature to obtain evidence to elucidate the responses from the contributors. Key new developments and challenges include: employing novel techniques to improve the prediction of suicidal behavior; testing and applying theoretical models of suicidal behavior; harnessing new technologies to monitor and intervene in suicide risk; expanding suicide prevention activities to low and middle-income countries; moving toward a more refined understanding of sub-groups of people at risk and developing tailored interventions. We also discuss the importance of multidisciplinary working and the challenges of implementing interventions in practice.

Suicide Prevention Guideline Implementation in Specialist Mental Healthcare Institutions in The Netherlands

In The Netherlands, on average 40% of all suicides concern patients treated by mental healthcare institutions (MHIs). Recent evidence indicates that implemented guideline recommendations significantly reduce the odds for patients to die by suicide. Implementation of the multidisciplinary guideline for diagnosis and treatment of suicidal behaviors is a main objective of the Dutch National Suicide Prevention Strategy. To this end, 24 MHIs that collectively reported 73% of patient suicides in 2015 received an educational outreach intervention offered by the national center of expertise.

AIM

To investigate changes in levels of implementation of guideline recommendations; and to assess the degree of variation on suicide prevention policies and practices between MHIs.

METHODS

Implementation study with a prospective cohort design studying change over time on all domains of a Suicide Prevention Monitor, a guideline-based instrument assessing suicide prevention policies and practices within MHIs. Data were collected in six-month intervals between 2015 and 2017.

RESULTS

MHIs improved significantly on four out of ten domains: the development of an organizational suicide prevention policy; monitoring and trend-analysis of suicides numbers; evaluations after suicide; and clinician training. No improvement was measured on the domains pertaining to multi-annual training policies; collaborative care with external partners; recording and evaluation of suicide attempts; routine assessment of suicidality in all patients; safety planning and involving next of kin and carers. Furthermore, marked practice variation between MHIs was found which did not decrease over time.

CONCLUSION

This study shows significant improvement in the implementation of four out of ten guideline-based suicide prevention policies in 24 specialist mental healthcare institutions in The Netherlands. The implementation level of suicide prevention policies and practices still appears to vary significantly between MHIs in The Netherlands.

Copycats in Pilot Aircraft-Assisted Suicides after the Germanwings Incident

Aircraft-assisted pilot suicide is a rare but serious phenomenon. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in pilot aircraft-assisted suicide risks, i.e., a copycat effect, in the U.S. and Germany after the Germanwings 2015 incident in the French Alps. Aircraft-assisted pilot suicides were searched in the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident investigation database and in the German Bundestelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU) Reports of Investigation database five years before and two years after the deliberate crash of the Germanwings flight into the French Alps in 2015. The relative risk (RR) of the aircraft-assisted pilot suicides was calculated. Two years after the incident, three out of 454 (0.66%) fatal incidents were aircraft-assisted suicides compared with six out of 1292 (0.46%) in the prior five years in the NTSB database. There were no aircraft-assisted pilot suicides in the German database during the two years after or five years prior to the Germanwings crash. The relative aircraft-assisted pilot suicide risk for the U.S. was 1.4 (95% CI 0.3–4.2) which was not statistically significant. Six of the pilots who died by suicide had told someone of their suicidal intentions. We consider changes in the rate to be within a normal variation. Responsible media coverage of aircraft incidents is important due to the large amount of publicity that these events attract.