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While research studies have investigated suicide prevention and intervention in secondary schools, there is very limited research that explores this support specifically at the elementary school level. This paper reviews the prevalence and associated risk factors of youth and adolescent suicide in the United States and best practices of school counselors providing suicide prevention and intervention in schools. The theory of adolescent suicide and social cognitive theory's self-efficacy will frame the discussion of the literature to provide a holistic picture of the elementary schools' needs of implementing suicide prevention and intervention. This research study is designed to fill a gap in the reviewed literature that shows the need for providing prevention and intervention in elementary school and the education that is currently being provided, as well as the level of self-efficacy among elementary school counselors providing suicide intervention to students at-risk. The following research questions guide the study: 1. What percentage of elementary education school counselors in the surveyed districts report having implemented suicide education as prevention in their elementary school with 4th and 5th graders, and what do these programs entail? 2. What are the perceptions of school counselors regarding the necessity of suicide education programs in elementary school? 3. What is the level of self-efficacy reported by school counselors regarding managing a crisis event of suicidality, such as a suicide attempt or student who died by suicide, as measured by the King Instrument? 4. To what extent are (a) years of experience in the field, (b) suicide education training in graduate school, (c) participation in professional development activities and/or in services, and (d) previous experience with a student expressing suicidal thoughts predictive of a counselor's self-efficacy for providing suicide education in the elementary school? Responses from 98 elementary school counselors employed within three school districts in the mid-Atlantic region were surveyed to examine the current suicide prevention programs in place and explore counselor self-efficacy related to providing suicide intervention for at-risk students. The King Instrument (King, 1999) was adapted for elementary school counselors and used to answer the research questions. A total of 7 of participants reported providing suicide prevention to the upper elementary grades. A much larger number of this sample, 83 (84.7%), perceived that it is the role of the school counselor to identify students at risk of suicide. Participants reported high overall self-efficacy for providing suicide interventions. Only one variable, graduate school training (B=0.249, p<.01), was found to significantly predict self-efficacy. A review of the current study will discuss implications for school counselors and counselor educators, and provide suggestions for future research. / Ph. D.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

This investigation represents an attempt to employ the Devries Suicide Prediction Scale and the Rorschach Inkblot Test in a two-stage predictive model which was designed to decrease the high false positive rate associated with the Devries and to design a way in which the Rorschach could be used efficiently in suicide prediction in a large mental hospital setting. The Rorschach was not found to significantly improve the predictive ability of the Devries. An unexpectedly high percentage of mental patients in the study, thirty-eight percent, admitted to previous suicide attempts, raising the question of whether suicidal behavior is not more common than is usually thought.

This study examines how suicide attempt survivors (SASs) decide whether or not to disclose their suicide attempt to close others. The investigation is framed using the revelation risk model (RRM) of disclosure (Afifi & Steuber, 2009) with particular focus on the risk assessment and willingness to disclose components of the model. Additionally, the investigation considers the concept of stigma in an effort to expand how stigma is relevant within the decision to disclose about prior suicide attempts. The sample includes 10 participants recruited from the Live Through This project, a project dedicated to collecting and sharing stories online from suicide attempt survivors. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data analysis showed that suicide attempt survivor disclosure generally follows the framework of the RRM. Notably, stigma was shown to be a major factor in the secret valence and risk assessment stages of the model. Additionally, the disclosure decision-making process was found to change over time.

Student Number : 0318213N - MCCP research report - School of Psychology - Faculty of Humanities / The following study aimed to assess coping strategies in adolescents following a suicide prevention program conducted by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group. The study aimed to assess whether there was a change in coping strategies in adolescents following the suicide prevention program. Suicide ideation was measured using the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Scale (PANSI) and Coping Strategies was measured using the Coping Across Situations Questionnaire (CASQ). Data was collected on 74 individuals in Grade 11 (26 males and 48 females). It was found that positive suicide ideation was not significantly different for males and females before the intervention, while females scored higher than males on the negative suicide ideation scale, indicating that females have more thoughts about suicide than males. There was no significant difference between positive and negative suicide ideation scores for both females and males following the suicide prevention program. The results further indicate that Active Coping; Internal Coping and Withdrawal Coping were not significantly different for boys and girls in the pretest, as well as in the post test. A negative relationship appears to exist between post PANSI negative ideation and Active Coping, which means that individuals who use more active coping have fewer thoughts about suicide. Active Coping is strongly related to Internal Coping and moderately related to Withdrawal Coping. Also, Internal coping is moderately related to Withdrawal Coping. The implications are that caregivers and professionals can begin to assess individual adolescent suicide ideation levels through an understanding of the individual’s coping strategy. Further research should be conducted in other socio-economic regions and rural and urban areas could be compared to get a holistic view of coping strategies and suicide ideation levels in South Africa, as a country.

O suicídio é um fenômeno complexo, multifatorial e não decorre de uma causa única. A mídia desempenha um papel significativo para determinar percepções do público sobre o tema visto que influencia atitudes, crenças, visão de mundo, potencializa comportamentos, gerando impactos na sociedade. Essa pesquisa de natureza qualitativa teve como objetivo compreender como a mídia aborda o suicídio e a possibilidade de influenciar o seu contágio. Foram realizadas entrevistas abertas com cinco jornalistas que atuam na cidade de São Paulo, com o intuito de investigar como o suicídio é noticiado nos meios de comunicação. As unidades de significado foram extraídas tendo como base o método fenomenológico proposto por Moustakas (1994). A análise das entrevistas apontou três categorias temáticas principais: 1) Dos medos e das incertezas diante do contágio aos questionamentos sobre o papel da mídia nos suicídios; 2) As percepções e as posturas dos jornalistas quanto à publicação de suicídios na mídia; 3) Os desafios do jornalismo atual: imediatismo, pressão e sofrimento psíquico. A presente investigação mostrou que os jornalistas contestaram o risco de contágio, mas também apontaram a possível influência midiática nesse processo, sendo que reportagens sobre suicídios têm influência positiva ou negativa dependendo da abordagem e dos temas incluídos. Destacam-se as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos jornalistas: rapidez na publicação, busca por audiência, imediatismo e pressão sofrida no trabalho, que têm como consequência a publicação de reportagens menos reflexivas e mais informativas. Essa pesquisa pode contribuir com reflexões acerca da publicação do suicídio e compreender o papel dos meios de comunicação para fomentar a conscientização pública, acreditando que uma reportagem bem elaborada sobre o tema pode colaborar com a prevenção do suicídio e evitar o efeito do contágio por meio da mídia / Suicide is a complex, multifactorial phenomenon and does not stem from a single cause. The media plays a significant role in determining public perceptions on the subject as it influences attitudes, beliefs, worldviews, as well as shaping behaviors, all of which impact society. The goal of this qualitative study is to understand how the media approaches suicide and the possibility that it may influence its contagion. Open interviews were conducted with five journalists who work in the city of São Paulo, with the intent of investigating how suicide is reported in the media. The units of meaning were extracted on the basis of the phenomenological method proposed by Moustakas (1994). Analysis of the interviews pointed to three main thematic categories: 1) Fears and uncertainties concerning contagion, stemming from questions about the medias role in suicides; 2) Journalists perceptions and viewpoints regarding the publication of suicides in the media; 3) The challenges currently faced by journalists: immediateness, pressure and psychic suffering. The present study shows that the journalists disputed the risk of contagion, but they also pointed out the possible media influence on this process, given that reporting on suicides has a positive or negative influence depending on the approach taken and the topics included. Of particular note are the difficulties faced by journalists: speed of publication, search for audience, and immediacy and pressure at work, which result in the publication of less reflective and more informative reports. This study presents reflections on suicide reporting and helps to understand the medias role in promoting public awareness, with the belief that a well-written report on the subject can contribute to suicide prevention and avoid the effect of contagion through mass media communication

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-09-21T12:28:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Cacossi Picarelli.pdf: 1784167 bytes, checksum: 78a8585adc7a5c8d807527f05847f7e5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-21T12:28:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Cacossi Picarelli.pdf: 1784167 bytes, checksum: 78a8585adc7a5c8d807527f05847f7e5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-23 / Introduction: Suicide is a critical global public health issue. According to the World Health Organization, in the year 2012 the suicide rate reached approximately 800 thousand deaths, the equivalent of one suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide attempts are even more prevalent. Among the main risk factors there are the presence of mental disorder and the previous suicide attempt. It is known that suicide prevention is possible and should not be the task of only specialized health professionals. Hence, it is recognized the fundamental role of the general practitioner for prevention plan. It is necessary to be able to identify risk and protection factors, as well as to work on the erroneous beliefs often translated into attitudes and deep-rooted thoughts full of prejudices and judgments. A good time to prepare these professionals is during their medical graduation. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the perception and knowledge of the fifth-year student of the Faculty of Medical Sciences and Health (FCMS-PUC/SP) regarding to the subject of suicide – prior and later to the use of active teaching-learning methodologies – and enable them to carry out the appropriate approach. Materials and methods: This is an educational, uncontrolled and unpaired, quantitative, prospective, descriptive, analytical and interventional clinical trial. A validated Suicide Behavior Attitude Questionnaire (SBAQ) was administered, along with the acquisition of sociodemographic data. The training was carried out through two stages: 1st) presentation of selected film clips on the theme, with subsequent problematization and debate; 2nd) dramatization of real situations about suicide. The Statistical Data Analysis (SPSS) version 17.0 was used to analyze the questionnaires, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Wilcoxon tests were also administered. Results: The sample consisted of 87 fifth-year students from the FCMS-PUC/SP during the Psychiatry curriculum, predominantly Caucasian women, about 24 years old, upper middle class and Catholic. After the training, there was a significant reduction of negative feelings towards the patient who presented suicide attempt and a better perception of the professional capacity to deal with this patient. The conception about the right to suicide has hardly changed. Discussion: With the training, there was a change in perception and improvement in knowledge about the issue and it was possible to reverse erroneous beliefs. Students perceive themselves to be more capable of recognizing the patient who is at risk for suicide and feel more secure in providing care. Conclusion: It is possible to promote positive changes in students’ perception and knowledge regarding suicide through the use of active teachinglearning methodologies / Introdução: O suicídio é importante problema de saúde pública mundial. Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde, no ano de 2012 a taxa de suicídio foi aproximadamente 800 mil mortes, o equivalente a um suicídio a cada 40 segundos. As tentativas de suicídio são ainda mais prevalentes. Dentre os principais fatores de risco destacam-se a presença de transtorno mental e a tentativa de suicídio prévia. Sabe-se que a prevenção de suicídio é possível e não deve ser tarefa apenas de profissionais da saúde especializados. Assim, reconhece-se o papel fundamental do médico generalista para os planos de prevenção. É necessário saber identificar fatores de risco e de proteção, além de se trabalhar as crenças errôneas que traduzem muitas vezes atitudes e pensamentos enraizados repletos de preconceitos e julgamentos. Um bom momento de capacitação desses profissionais é durante a graduação médica. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a percepção e o conhecimento do estudante quintanista da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde (FCMS) da PUC-SP em relação ao tema suicídio – pré e pós a utilização de metodologias ativas de ensino-aprendizagem – e capacitá-los para a realização da abordagem adequada. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico de temática educativa, não controlado e não pareado, quantitativo, prospectivo, descritivo, analítico e de intervenção. Foi aplicado o Questionário sobre a Atitude Frente ao Comportamento Suicida (QuACS), já validado, acrescido da obtenção de dados sociodemográficos. A capacitação foi realizada através de duas etapas: 1ª) apresentação de trechos de filmes escolhidos sobre o tema, com posterior problematização e debate; 2ª) dramatização de situações reais sobre suicídio. Para análise dos questionários utilizou-se o Statistical Data Analysis (SPSS) versão 17.0 e foram realizados os testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e Wilcoxon. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída por 87 estudantes quintanistas da FCMS da PUC-SP durante o estágio curricular de Psiquiatria, predominantemente composta por mulheres, raça branca, aproximadamente 24 anos, classe média alta e católica. Após a capacitação, verificou-se uma redução significante dos sentimentos negativos diante do paciente que apresenta tentativa de suicídio e uma melhor percepção da capacidade profissional para lidar com esse paciente. Já as ideias em relação ao direito ao suicídio pouco se alteraram. Discussão: Com a capacitação houve mudança na percepção e melhora no conhecimento sobre o tema e foi possível reverter crenças errôneas. Estudantes percebem-se mais capazes em reconhecer o paciente que apresenta risco de suicídio e sentem-se mais seguros em oferecer cuidado. Conclusão: É possível promover mudanças positivas na percepção e no conhecimento do estudante frente ao tema suicídio, através do uso de metodologias ativas de ensino-aprendizagem

Suicide is a complex phenomenon that occurs on a continuum with thoughts of suicide, plans and attempts that can eventually result in death. Suicide is one of the top ten reasons for death in most countries. Governments are challenging healthcare systems to reduce suicide through preventative healthcare. The first paper explores psychological interventions for people with suicidal thoughts and behaviours delivered through technology. It explores the evidence-base for internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, telephone based interventions, CD-ROMs and other Internet-based therapies. Nineteen papers were identified with four papers of good quality evidence supporting Internet-based cognitive behavioural interventions. The second paper is a feasibility and acceptability study which explores a diary and intervention delivered through a mobile phone. Twenty participants were recruited through adult secondary care community mental health teams in the North West of England. High completion rates and low dropout rates were found. Participants rated the technology and interventions high in terms of practicality, ease of use and overall satisfaction with the programme and reported that it was moderately helpful. Preliminary data on effectiveness suggests reactivity to the method in the short term but a reduction in symptoms overall. These results and ESM methodology must be treated with caution for people with suicidal thoughts due to the increase in symptoms found following the intervention. The third paper offers a critical reflection on the first and second papers.

The overall aim of the research is contribute to a reduction in suicides within mental health services. This study will explore the learning process for mental health services following patient suicides in Northern Ireland (NI). It will focus on how the recommendations contained in Serious Adverse Incident reports, which are completed following all patient suicides, are translated into practice. The study will examine all SAI reports completed from January 2015 to December 2016. Focus groups with mental health professionals throughout NI will then be used to increase understanding of the enablers and barriers to effective implementation of these recommendations within mental health services.