INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY

Radical social theorists Antonio Gramsci and Walter Benjamin: can they help understand and power effective mental health reform?
Becker T, Müller T, Ikkos G and Speerforck S
Issues concerning the relationship between psychiatrists and people with experience of mental ill health and implications for psychiatric reform are covered. Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937), Italian politician and Marxist philosopher, focused on the concepts of culture, hegemony and common sense in analysing societal change. He can be credited with having provided a concept for the role intellectuals can assume in processes of change. Gramsci contributed to the concept of 'hegemony'. It can be argued that he provided some theoretical background to the Italian psychiatric reform leading to a new mental health law in 1978. Walter Benjamin (1892-1940), German literary and cultural critic, understood cultural change as an integral part of history as it unfolds. His magnum opus, the Arcades Project, describes Paris as the capital of the 19th century. Benjamin's thinking can be considered complementary with Gramsci's work in analysing society by focusing on physical structure, technology, images, media and culture. His work focuses on 'experience'. Benjamin's perspective on society may help to understand mental health issues such as therapeutic encounter or peer support. Gramsci provides a framework for understanding psychiatric reform as part of societal change. Both thinkers can help understand how mental health reform is related with society.
What kind of «thing» is mental illness? Listening to Kraepelin, Jaspers and Kronfeld
Hoff P
Since its beginnings psychiatry controversely debated about the appropriate concept of illness, about nosology and the diagnostic terms and procedures based upon it. This paper discusses the approaches introduced by Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926), Karl Jaspers (1883-1969) and Arthur Kronfeld (1886-1941). Whereas Kraepelin postulated the existence of «natural entities» with regard to mental illness, Jaspers acknowledged the heuristic value of the term «disease entity», but declared it a «regulative idea» in a Kantian sense, i.e. an appropriate and useful, albeit never fully achievable aim. Kronfeld, in a way situated «between» Kraepelin and Jaspers, defended the notion of disease entities. However, he spoke clearly against primarily anchoring these entities in neighbouring scientific fields like neurobiology or social sciences. Psychiatry should stay (or become) «autological», in the first place using the psychological perspective. In full respect for neighbouring approaches as scientific fields in their own right, he rejected their transfer to mental phenomena as «heterological», i.e. as unduly narrowing down the scope of psychiatry. These issues, up to debate 100 years ago, still are of utmost relevance for psychiatry in the 21st century, a field struggling with its rather fragile scientific identity.
Bildwissenschaft and revolution. The story of Marco Cavallo and its significance in the history of psychiatry
Brencio F
This contribution explores the significance of Marco Cavallo in the history of psychiatry using Walter Benjamin's concept of . Here the concept of the image and the idea of fragmentation are seen as bringing to the surface certain thought-images (). As properly pre-theoretical () elements of our cognition, images operate revolutions: breaking from the familiar and opening a pathway to the exposure to shock []. This gathers together the power of images to configure cognizability, as well as their possibility to rewrite history through the relationship of present to past. Marco Cavallo is offered as both image and metaphor for what is concealed behind mental health experiences, and as an image of the geography of "inside and outside", both in terms of social and public spaces, as well as collective practices of care.
Emil Kraepelin and Walter Benjamin: distant contemporaries, diverse working methods, any resonance?
Becker T and Hoff P
The work methods of eminent psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926) and of literary and cultural critic Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) are described based on the literature describing their ways of working. Kraepelin's approach of cross-sectional observation of symptoms and the longitudinal study of illness course in distinguishing 'disease entities' as well as his research strategy of investigating causes and correlates using methods of experimental psychology, pathology and neurobiology are described. Critical statements (on Kraepelin's work) highlighting preconceived concepts, ideological positions and a lack of critical reflection are reported. Walter Benjamin's use of citation and 'collage' in literary and cultural criticism, his use of the concepts of allegory, 'figures of thought' and 'dialectical images' is described. His theory of the past impacting on our understanding of present and immediate future is discussed. Benjamin's thinking is centered around the concept of 'experience'. The relevance of both scientists to current challenges is discussed referring to current psychiatric research and peer support, a key concept in discussions on mental health care. The paper argues that Kraepelin and Benjamin could be considered complementary in their approaches to mental health matters taking into account wider cultural contexts. (189 words).
The psychiatrist as a ragpicker. Introduction to Walter Benjamin for psychiatrists (II): the dialectics between the fragment and the whole
Stanghellini G
In this paper, taking a cue from the image provided by Walter Benjamin, I argue that the work of the psychiatrist can be compared to that of the ragpicker who collects what others consider to be 'waste', rescuing it from oblivion and transforming it into a key resource for treatment. I review two 'logics of discovery'- phenomenologically inspired structural psychopathology and that of narrative psychopathology - whose purpose is to complement mainstream diagnostic approach based on 'ticking boxes'. I try to identify the shortcomings of these two methodologies, in particular the confirmation bias that can cause selective inattention to anything that does not fit into the expected structure or narrative. I highlight the heuristic importance of these 'fragments' that are in danger of remaining on the fringes of the clinician's attention who is too focused on 'making ends meet,' showing how in certain psychopathological conditions - e.g. early schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder, marked by fragmentation - inattention to fragments can impede understanding and treatment. I argue for the importance in psychiatry of an 'emergentist' logic of discovery, of a kind of psychopathological knowledge 'co-produced' with patients, and of fragment-oriented listening in order not to lose the richness of patients' own accounts.
History, 'nowtime' () and dialectical images: introduction to Walter Benjamin for psychiatry (I)
Ikkos G, Stanghellini G and Morgan A
Considered by many the foremost German language literary critic of the first half of the 20 century, Walter Benjamin remains a star in our contemporary constellation of cultural criticism. His broad range of reference coupled with his dazzling linguistic versatility and radical understanding of technological transformation and its relation to society, continue to offer insights that help us respond better to the 21 century's disorienting pace of innovation and change. Also, to measure the distance we have travelled since his contributions. Here we introduce aspects of his times, life, philosophical formation, and social-historical and critical work, including his use of literary montage and concepts of history, now-time (), non-sensuous similarities, and dialectical images. Benjamin's methodology and discoveries offer penetrating tools to any psychiatry which is truly committed to understanding culture beyond the conservative or descriptive ethnographic study of tradition in order to make sense of the nature and psychopathological impact of accelerating upheavals in our era of international conflict, climate change, social media, artificial intelligence and imperfect and threatened liberal pluralism. This era demands an approach open to co-creation and co-production and we discuss the relevance, including the limitations, of Benjamin's work.
The power of images: hysteric symptoms as representations of the self
Esposito CM and Stanghellini G
The diagnosis of hysteria, despite being fundamental in the birth of psychiatry, has currently been removed from nosography. This choice speaks of the renunciation by contemporary nosography of understanding psychopathological conditions as structural entities, with internal coherence and meaningfulness - which on the contrary should be reconsidered. Hysteria represents a mirror of social and cultural changes. The metamorphoses throughout history of hysterical symptoms reflect the changing interests of medicine (the greater legitimation of somatic symptoms over psychic ones) and, in general, mirror the increasing importance of images in the contemporary world. Despite its nosographical fragmentation, hysteria continues to be talked about. Phenomenologically, hysteria is described not as a diagnosis but as an existential position, freeing it from gender prejudices. Hysterical persons suffer from a hypo-sufficiency of the self, from a difficulty in feeling from within, which ends up hypertrophying the identity definitions coming from without: the gaze of others, socio-cultural stereotypes, gender models. Visibility therefore takes on a central role, and images become a vehicle to represent oneself - capable of attracting the attention of others and enchanting them. Different powers have been attributed to images throughout the history of thought: that of paralyzing, that of moving to action, that of underlining the contingency of experience. Hysterical persons embody images, generating with their symptoms a world of representations. However, what characterizes hysteria is not the symptom, but the use made of that symptom: it becomes a catalyst for the gaze of others, which allows one to assume an otherwise lacking identity-consistency. For this reason, hysterical persons are not only passively subject to their symptoms, but actively make use of them in interpersonal relations.
Digital visions: the experience of self and others in the age of the digital revolution
Gallese V
The digital technological revolution shifted the balance of world perceptual experience, increasing exposure to digital content, introducing a new quality to our perceptual experiences. Embodied cognition offers an ideal vantage point to study how digital technologies impact on selves and their social relations for at least two reasons: first, because of the bodily performative character of the relations and interactions these new media evoke; second, because similar brain-body mechanisms ground our relations with both the physical world and its digital mediations. A closer look is taken at the possible effects of digitization on social communication, on politics, as well as on the constitution of the self and its world relations, especially in the context of the ever-increasing amount of time spent online, with a focus on digital natives. As we explore the complexities of the digital age, it is imperative to critically examine the role of digital technologies in shaping social life and political discourse. By understanding the interplay between content, emotional context, delivery methods, and shareability within digital media landscapes, we can develop strategies to mitigate the negative effects of misinformation and promote informed decision-making in our increasingly digital world.
The precision of images: Emil Kraepelin, Walter Benjamin and a space for rethinking psychiatry
Ikkos G, Stanghellini G and Becker T
'… the most complex and lyrical song of experience': Walter Benjamin and a dialectical image of madness. Introduction to Walter Benjamin for psychiatry (III)
Morgan A
In this paper I explore Walter Benjamin's complex thoughts about the concept of experience to illuminate a central paradox when thinking about madness. This paradox concerns the need to hold together constellations of concepts that appear to be diametrically opposed. On the one hand there is the realm of the psychopathological; a psychiatric thinking of madness as mental illness that refers to suffering, loss of existence, and dysfunction. On the other hand, there is a thinking about madness as a diverse and different experience, as possibility, illumination, and difference. Benjamin's writings on experience can be particularly fertile here because he acknowledges the contradictions in experience, at certain points emphasising the loss of experience and at other points focussing on the possibilities of a new experience even within a destruction of experience. I will explore three aspects of Benjamin's reflections on experience and their relationship to an experience of psychosis; the loss of experience in modernity and the possibilities that lie within such a loss, the turn towards the object in Benjamin's account of experience, and finally the concept of the limit-experience. I conclude by considering Benjamin's idea of the dialectical image and apply this idea to the experience of madness.
The function of structuring images: the concept of epiphany from literature to psychiatry
Correale A
In the course of the psychiatrist-patient relationship, and especially during a psychotherapy, an image sometimes appears that is greeted by the therapist with a sense of surprise and rediscovery. Such an image has the quality of condensing many of the scattered elements of the patient's life and giving them a form that makes it possible to recognise something stable and permanent in the functioning of the patient's subjectivity. I propose to call these images, which have a valence of enlightenment, clarification and condensation of scattered elements, structuring images. I have used the term 'epiphany' to define these moments of enlightenment, which are of great help in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic work, contributing to a new construction of the history and relationships of the patient's life.
Suicidal behavior among individuals with trisomy 21: an integrative review
de Oliveira DG, Prado JA and Melo DG
Trisomy 21 (T21) is a genetically determined human condition that occurs in one in every 800 births worldwide. Improvements in lifelong care have generated discussion about the mental health of people with T21. However, suicidal behavior in this population has still received little attention. This integrative review aimed to understand and synthesize scientific production on the topic of 'suicide in people with T21'. We conducted the review in the Virtual Health Library, PubMed, and PsycInfo databases using the descriptors 'Down syndrome', 'Down's syndrome', and 'trisomy 21' in combination with 'suicide', 'suicide attempted', and 'suicidal ideation'. We analyzed articles published until 10 October 2023. The selected articles were evaluated for their level of evidence and categorized thematically. Eight articles from three countries met the eligibility criteria: three case reports, three narrative literature reviews, one observational cross-sectional study, and one cohort study. The articles were organized and discussed in four categories: (1) scientific literature impressions about suicide in individuals with T21; (2) T21 life course issues and forms of expression of suicidal behavior; (3) suicide frequency in individuals with T21; and (4) possible implications for caring for individuals with T21 who exhibit suicidal behavior. The results revealed a lack of literature on the subject, which indicates the need for additional research. Based on the evidence available, suicidal behavior among people with T21, while a possible phenomenon, seems uncommon. Health professionals should investigate T21 individuals' mental health, searching for depression and self-injury symptoms.
Defeat, entrapment and suicidal ideation in a Turkish community sample of young adults: an examination of the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model of suicidal behaviour
Türk N, Yasdiman MB and Kaya A
The present study examines the relationships between defeat, entrapment, suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness through the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour in a sample of Turkish young adults. The sample consisted of 451 individuals (72.5% females, = 25.20). The correlation analyses revealed significant relationships between defeat, entrapment, suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness in the expected directions. Mediation and moderation analyses partly confirmed the assumptions of the motivational phase of the IMV model; entrapment played a mediating role between defeat and suicidal ideation, and thwarted belongingness (but not perceived burdensomeness) had a moderating role in the pathway between entrapment and suicidal ideation. These findings add a new dimension to the understanding of suicide risk and potential protective factors through the IMV model, which was tested for the first time in the Turkish population. It is anticipated that this study will contribute to suicide prevention intervention strategies, especially for young adults, at-risk group for suicide in Turkey.
Intergenerational conflicts and its impact on young people's suicidal behaviour: a scoping review
Akshaya A, Haritha NP, Pandiyambakkam Rajendran K, Anand A, Madhavan VK, Kesh S, Murthy Subramanian H, John S, Raghavan V, Suresh Kumar M, Ramachandran P and Vijayakumar L
Familial factors have been studied to be an important risk factor for suicidal behaviour among young people. Within families, conflicts across generations have been found to have a significant impact on young people's mental health and wellbeing. This scoping review aimed to identify existing literature examining intergenerational conflicts and its association with suicidal behaviour among young people aged 10-24 years. English articles related to intergenerational conflicts, suicide, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behaviour in a familial context experienced by young people have been included. OVID, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched using relevant search terms and articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. On database search, four articles met the inclusion criteria and four more were included based on cross-referencing. Overall, eight studies were including in the synthesis of results. Significant positive association between intergenerational conflicts and suicidal ideation and behaviour among adolescents and young adults has been elucidated from the scoping review. Age-specific differences have been noted in the experience of conflicts, with adolescents primarily facing conflicts related to academic performance and cell phone usage and older youth facing conflicts about financial independence and interpersonal relationships. Females have been found to experience more intergenerational conflict and higher associated distress than males.
Impact of intergenerational conflict on young people and interventions to mitigate its effects: a scoping review
Madhavan VK, Akshaya A, Haritha NP, Pandiyambakkam Rajendran K, Anand A, Kesh S, Murthy Subramanian H, John S, Raghavan V, Suresh Kumar M, Padmavati R and Vijayakumar L
Intergenerational conflicts with parents or grandparents have been shown to have adverse effects on young people. Inevitably these conflicts influence the mental health and well-being of young people.
Suicide mortality in Paraíba (Brazil) between 2010 and 2021 and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic: an ecological study
Leite RR, Ferreira SB, Ventriglio A and Chagas W
This study aims to analyze the rates of suicide mortality in the State of Paraíba (Brazil) between 2010 and 2021, describing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the suicide rates in 2020 and 2021. We here proposed a mixed longitudinal - ecological study that employed secondary data provided by the Mortality Information System regarding deaths from self-harm in 2010 - 2021 in the state of Paraíba. It also included cases of death from intentional self-inflicted injuries, coded X60-X84 according to the 10th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). A linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between the mortality rates and the years analyzed and also to calculate the predicted values for 2020 and 2021 based on findings from previous years. Although the suicide rates observed in 2020 and 2021 were higher than expected (6.387 and 6.789, respectively), they were still within the confidence interval. The present study found a constant increase in the suicide mortality during the period studied, even if without a significant difference between the expected trends according to previous years and those observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The experience of self-harming behaviours that inflict external injuries to the body in UK-based Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani women: a literature review
Aktar S and Tribe R
Studies carried out on self-harm in the UK have consistently reported a higher level of self-harm among women with South Asian heritage resident in the UK when age-compared with other British women. The reasons for this variation are many including but not limited exclusively to family environment and gender role expectations. These studies have also shown that these women are also least likely to seek psychological support from mental health professionals again with a number of explanations including stigma against help-seeking, notions of shame and other culture-specific factors. However, previous studies have clustered this large group together based on geographical heritage, regardless of the differences between religious and heritage groups and have reported on all types of self-harming behaviours as similar and predominantly carried out quantitative studies which while providing important statistical data have not always looked at the meaning of this experience for the participants. This paper presents a review of the relevant literature within the area of self-harm among Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani women living in the UK. It is noteworthy that many studies discussed are dated, this appears to reflect an apparent lack of recent interest in the topic.
Suicides among sexual minority populations in Asia: a battle in the shadows
Bhatia G, Pal A, Parmar A and Sharma P
Sexual minorities, comprising of individuals with non-heterosexual orientation or non-binary gender identities, are being increasingly recognized as populations with distinct needs throughout the world. These communities face several psychological and socio-political challenges, making them vulnerable to mental health conditions, including suicides. Research indicates a higher risk of suicidal deaths and attempts in sexual minorities as compared to the general population. However, this remains an under-researched topic in South Asia where social integration and minority rights are still in their nascent stages. This narrative review aims to understand the various issues related to suicides among sexual minority communities of South Asia.
Deliberate self-harm, attempted suicide, and suicide
Bhugra D, Ventriglio A and Deahl Td M
Personal and work-related burnout is associated with increased episodes of suicidal ideation or behavior among working adults in Chile
Cumming A, Chen Y, Juvinao-Quintero D, Velez JC, Castillo J, Mardones A and Gelaye B
Burnout has been previously associated with suicidal risk factors and suicide itself, but these associations have only focused on work-related burnout among high-demand occupations. We aimed at examining the extent to which personal and/or work-related burnout are associated with suicidal ideation or behavior among working adults in Chile. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1,970 working adults attending the Hospital del Trabajador in Santiago, Chile, between September 2015 and February 2018, using structured interviews. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) assessed levels of personal and work-related burnout (mild, moderate, and high-to-severe), and the Columbia Suicidal Rating Scale (C-SSRS) measured suicidal ideation or behavior. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to estimate the magnitude of the association between burnout with suicidal ideation or behavior. After adjusting for putative confounders, moderate and high-to-severe personal burnout were associated with 5.07-fold (95% confidence interval (Al-Halabí et al.): 3.56-7.26) and 10.26-fold (95% CI: 5.75-18.50) increased odds of suicidal ideation or behavior, and high-to-severe work-related burnout associated with 2.47-fold increased odds (95% CI: 1.31-4.68). The dose-response pattern was shown in the association between both types of burnout and suicidal ideation or behavior (p for trend <0.05). Personal and work-related burnout were associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation or behavior in a dose-response manner. Focusing on alleviating burnout levels through mental health services or social support may effectively decrease the prevalence of suicidal ideation or behavior among working adults.
Suicide among migrants: a comprehensive narrative review of literature
Spataro G, Ventriglio A, Signorelli MS and Marrazzo G
Suicidality among migrants represents a multifaceted and complex issue with significant implications and challenges for public mental health and policies. This narrative review aims to explore the factors contributing to suicidality within the migrant groups, consequently highlighting the need for tailored interventions and supporting strategies. Firstly, we reviewed the evidences on the prevalence of suicidal ideation, attempted suicides, and deaths by suicide among migrants. The results were extremely heterogeneous, mostly depending on the different migrant group considered. Significant differences in suicide risk have been found depending on the legal status of migrants and their country of origin/migration. The second section explored the protective and risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviours in different migrant groups. The analysis concluded that a set of factors may interact in various ways, contributing to a heterogeneous and complex framework underpinning the phenomenon of suicide. Migration itself may be a challenging and traumatizing experience, characterized by social isolation, cultural dislocation and adjustment, as well as economic and financial distress, all of which may exacerbate pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities or trigger new mental disorders. Acculturative stress, discrimination, and language barriers further compound these challenges, often hindering access to mental health services.
Understanding the psychodynamics of the pathway to suicide
Gibbons R
This paper describes the current understanding of the psychodynamics of the pathway to suicide and argues that the limitations of current epidemiological and observational approaches often overlook crucial psychodynamic factors. It describes how an underlying vulnerability in the capacity to process emotions can lead to unbearable pain, where death is perceived as the only escape. The intense emotional states following life's losses can then precipitate a profound division within the self. This internal split is characterised by a detached, destructive 'perpetrator' aspect and a vulnerable 'victim' aspect, with the former often overpowering the latter in the lead-up to suicide through suicidal fantasies of life after death. Drawing on data from various sources, including case studies, mental health audits, and coroner's reports, the paper assesses the practical efficacy of understanding suicide through a psychodynamic lens. This approach aims to provide more effective intervention strategies, not just by preventing suicide but also by addressing the needs of those left bereaved, who often suffer from complex grief and an elevated risk of suicide themselves. By shifting focus from solely preventive measures to a deeper understanding of the underlying psychological mechanisms, this research advocates for a more holistic approach to suicide prevention. It calls for a shared philosophical inquiry into the nature of human existence and the existential conflict between the will to live and the impulse to die, suggesting that a more nuanced comprehension of these dynamics could lead to better support systems both for those at risk and those bereaved.
Functional disability and suicidal ideation in Korean older adults: the moderating role of socioeconomic status
Choi JY
Although the relationship between functional disability and suicidal ideation among older adults has been well documented, limited research exists regarding how socioeconomic status might moderate the relationship between functional disability and suicidal ideation. The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between functional disability and suicidal ideation and assess how SES moderates this relationship among Korean older adults.
Suicidal hanging in Pakistan: an exploratory two-year content analysis study
Mahesar RA, Raza Ul Mustafa A, Latif M, Azeema N, Rao MA and Ventriglio A
Suicidal hanging is common in Pakistan and is considered a serious challenge globally. We conducted a content analysis of reports about suicidal hangings published in six English-language newspapers in Pakistan between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2022, employing a web-searching technique.124 news reports were yielded; suicidal authors were males (68.5%), Muslims (69.4%), and unmarried (31.4%), aged 16- 30 years old. Ligatures employed in hanging suicides were ropes (28.2%), fabrics (20.9%), and electric wires (20.1%). The most frequent leverage-points selected in suicides were ceiling fans (37%) followed by trees (11.2%). Familial discords (19.2%) and poverty (9.6%) were the leading risk factors for hanging suicide. Most of the suicides (58%) occurred equally in the spring (29%) and autumn (29%) months. These evidences suggest that psychological interventions on families are crucial. Also, dealing with poverty and other social consequences in Pakistan as in the rest of the world may probably reduce the rate of yearly suicides.
Age and sex differences in the annual and seasonal variation of Australia's suicide rate, 2000-2020
Burns RA, Sargent K, Butterworth P and Crisp DA
Suicide is a major public health concern both globally and in Australia. But in Australia the extent of substantive annual and seasonality trends since 2000 through the first two decades of the 21st Century, by age and sex, has not been formally reported. The current paper sought to identify annual and within-year (seasonality) trajectories in age-sex standardized suicide rates between 2000 and 2020. The annual and within-year (seasonality) trajectories of suicide were estimated from generalised regression analyses of Australia's mortality database. No systematic variation in Australia's suicide rate since 2000 was reported and was consistent between sex and age cohorts. Seasonal variation in rates were identified, with peaks in the new year (January), declines in late Summer/Autumn, stability in Winter, increases in Spring, but with a notable decline in early summer (November-December). These trends were driven men only. Interpretation of current suicide rates need to consider systematic long-term historical context. Despite a historical focus on youth suicide especially, working-aged and very old men have consistently reported higher standardized suicide rates over the first two decades of the 21st Century. Seasonal variation was reported but only reported by men, potentially because across the lifespan, suicide rates for females were a comparatively low incidence event. Particularly after recent successive national and international crises, we emphasise that surveillance and interpretation of current suicide rate requires careful consideration as to the extent any immediate variation may otherwise fall within otherwise normal historical norms.
Assessing the quality of suicide reporting in Portugal: 6 case studies of celebrities and non-celebrities over 25 years
Ribeiro E and Granado A
Multiple studies from various countries have found evidence of suicide increases after media reports of suicide, which are known as the Werther effect, but responsible suicide reporting can contribute to suicide prevention, a phenomenon known as the Papageno effect. This study aims to assess adherence by the Portuguese media to the suicide reporting guidelines released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and to determine whether there are differences in reporting style between them and over time. News items about six suicides of public and non-public figures between 1996 and 2020 were collected from several Portuguese media-two newspapers, three radio stations, three television channels, and a few websites-in the periods following those deaths, and they were subsequently examined for adherence to the WHO guidelines. A total of 374 news items were analyzed. The majority of them complied with most of the WHO recommendations for suicide reporting, especially the 'don't do' guidelines. However, most of the news items that were analyzed did not follow the recommendations regarding putatively preventive information, notably the inclusion of support contacts and citation of mental health experts. The Portuguese media mostly adhered to the WHO suicide reporting guidelines and there was a positive evolution over time in the level of compliance with them. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement.
What differentiates suicidal ideation from depressive symptoms amongst Korean young adults aged 20-39 years?
Kang J, Jang SN and Kim HS
This study aimed to examine and compare factors influencing depressive symptoms from those influencing suicidal ideation in Korean adults aged 20-39 years. Data were collected from September 15 to 23, 2021 using an online survey company because of the limitations of face-to-face surveys during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. Participants were also recruited from the Seoul Suicide Prevention Center. Suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, and general health and demographic characteristics were determined based on existing standardized questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Based on data from 1014 participants, age, sex, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, and stress were associated with depressive symptoms. In contrast, income, subjective health status, and stress were found to influence suicidal ideation; the effect of income disappeared when adjusted for depression. Lower income, poor subjective health status, higher stress levels, and depression were associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that depression and suicidal ideation have distinct influencing factors and that simply viewing depression as a risk factor for suicidal ideation may lead to other important factors being overlooked.
Perceived helpfulness of medication and psychotherapy among adults with suicidal ideation
Husky MM, Léon C, du Roscoät E and Vasiliadis HM
The objective of the study is to examine perceived helpfulness of medication and psychotherapy among adults with suicidal ideation. Data were drawn from the 2017 Health Barometer, a nationally representative French survey ( = 25,319). Overall, 4.7% ( = 1,148) reported suicidal ideation in the prior 12 months. Logistic regressions were used to examine factors associated with perceived helpfulness among individuals reporting suicidal ideation in the past year who had received medication ( = 590) or psychotherapy ( = 247). Overall, 80.4% ( = 489) reported that medication was/is helpful, and 56.5% ( = 149) reported psychotherapy helped them a lot. In adjusted models, those with major depression were more likely than those without (AOR = 2.18, 95%CI = 1.39-3.421) to perceive medication as helpful. Those with a recent suicide attempt were less likely to report medication as helpful (AOR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.21-0.84). Receiving psychotherapy was significantly associated with perceived helpfulness of medication (AOR = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.09-3.29). Additional larger studies are needed in France to assess perceived helpfulness by type and adequacy of psychotherapy received.
Suicide risk and mental health in university students according to place of accommodation
Erdem M
Recently, the suicides of university students staying in state dormitories have been covered in the press and social media in Turkey. This coverage has led to the perception that staying in state dormitories increases the risk of suicide. This study aims to examine the effect of university students' accommodation on suicide risk and mental health. In this study, data were collected from 528 students studying in the 2022-2023 academic year. Suicide probability scale and Brief symptom inventory were used as data collection tools. Parametric analyses (-test and Anova) were used in data analysis. There is no significant effect of accommodation on suicide risk ( = 0.152), but there is a significant effect of accommodation on mental health ( = 0.010). This effect is observed between the home and family. Among university students, there was no significant difference in the effect of place of accommodation on suicide risk. However, it is seen that the place of accommodation is effective on mental health. It can be stated that this situation is of economic origin.
Suicide Prevention in Southeast Asia Region: A Review of National Suicide Prevention Strategies
Bhatia G, Karamta A, Thakur MR and Mathur R
Suicide is a major public health concern, impacting societies worldwide. This study was an analysis of national suicide prevention strategies of various SEAR countries. To date, only five out of eleven countries constituting the Southeast Asia Region have developed their national suicide prevention strategies. It is desirable that future revisions with the aim of addressing the lacunae in the strategies are undertaken by the respective nations for effective prevention of suicides in the region.