Angela Clapperton1, Stuart Newstead1, Lyndal Bugeja2, Jane Pirkis3. 1. 1 Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2. 2 Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 3. 3 Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
Background: Mental illness is an established risk factor for suicide. To develop effective prevention interventions and strategies, the demographic characteristics and stressors (other than, or in addition to, mental illness) that can influence a person's decision to die by suicide need to be identified. Aim: To examine cases of suicide by the presence or absence of a diagnosed mental illness (mental illness status) to identify differences in factors associated with suicide in the groups. Method: Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate mental illness status and exposure to stressors among 2,839 persons who died by suicide in Victoria, Australia (2009-2013), using the Victorian Suicide Register. Results: Females, metropolitan residents, persons treated for physical illness/injury, those exposed to stressors related to isolation, family, work, education, and substance use and those who had made a previous suicide attempt had increased odds of having a diagnosed mental illness. Employed persons had decreased odds of having a diagnosed mental illness. Limitations: The retrospectivity of data collection as well as the validity and reliability of some of the data may be questionable owing to the potential for recall bias. Conclusion: The point of intervention for suicide prevention cannot always be a mental health professional; some people who die by suicide either do not have a mental illness or have not sought help.
Background: Mental illness is an established risk factor for suicide. To develop effective prevention interventions and strategies, the demographic characteristics and stressors (other than, or in addition to, mental illness) that can influence a person's decision to die by suicide need to be identified. Aim: To examine cases of suicide by the presence or absence of a diagnosed mental illness (mental illness status) to identify differences in factors associated with suicide in the groups. Method: Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate mental illness status and exposure to stressors among 2,839 persons who died by suicide in Victoria, Australia (2009-2013), using the Victorian Suicide Register. Results: Females, metropolitan residents, persons treated for physical illness/injury, those exposed to stressors related to isolation, family, work, education, and substance use and those who had made a previous suicide attempt had increased odds of having a diagnosed mental illness. Employed persons had decreased odds of having a diagnosed mental illness. Limitations: The retrospectivity of data collection as well as the validity and reliability of some of the data may be questionable owing to the potential for recall bias. Conclusion: The point of intervention for suicide prevention cannot always be a mental health professional; some people who die by suicide either do not have a mental illness or have not sought help.
Authors: Angela Clapperton; Matthew John Spittal; Jeremy Dwyer; Andrew Garrett; Kairi Kõlves; Stuart Leske; Ciara Millar; Bronwen Edwards; Victor Stojcevski; David Robert Crompton; Jane Pirkis Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-11-30 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Caitlin Modini; Stuart Leske; Susan Roberts; Nikki Whelan; Andrea Chitakis; David Crompton; David Ellwood Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2021-06-22 Impact factor: 3.633