By studying differences in suicide rates among different geographical regions one may identify factors connected to suicidal behaviour on a regional level. Many studies have focused on risk factors, whereas less is known about protective factors, such as social support. Using suicide rates and data from the European Social Survey (ESS) we explore the association between regional level social support indicator and suicide rates in 23 European countries in 2012. Linear multiple regression analyses using region as the unit of analysis revealed inverse relationships between mean respondent valuing of social support and suicide rates for both genders, with some indication of a stronger relationship among men. Social support may have a protective effect against suicide on a regional level. Thus, increasing social support could be an effective focus of preventive activities, resulting in lowering suicide rates, with greater expected results among men.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1539734980
Sexual-minority youth have a two to three times higher risk for suicidal behaviour than their peers. They also have increased mental health risk factors, such as depression and substance abuse, and are often victims of homophobia and discrimination. Available data are unable to provide a clear understanding of the psychosocial factors contributing to these unfavourable mental health indicators. In this Review, we assess current knowledge about the effect of variables, such as acceptance and support, as possible risk factors or protective factors for the development of suicidal behaviour among sexual-minority youth (we consider youth as those aged 13–25 years). 34 articles were eventually included in the review process; and we contextualised their content at three different levels (society, social network, and individual) before integrating the outcomes into a model. This Review shows how negative social environments (such as a non-acceptant school climate), inadequate support within the closest social network, and an absence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning support movements in communities contribute to the development of suicidality in young people. Furthermore, the unsupportive reactions of others can be internalised, manifesting as homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic patterns in the individual. To prevent suicidal behaviour, we suggest that all these aspects need to be taken into consideration when planning interventions.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1541014212
The existing literature provides evidence of the link between media reporting and suicide in terms of either preventive or provocative effects. Hence, working with media representatives on responsible reporting on suicide is of great importance. Until recently in Slovenia, there has been an obvious lack of communication between media representatives and suicidologists. The aims of the present study were twofold; firstly, to introduce the adaptation and dissemination of intervention on responsible media reporting, and secondly, to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented intervention on suicide reporting. We used a pre-post research design. Newspaper articles were retrieved over two 12-month periods: the baseline period and the follow-up period. In between, we had a year of implementation of our intervention program (launching and disseminating the Guidelines via workshops). Each retrieved article was rated qualitatively with respect to its adherence to the Guidelines. The comparison of baseline and follow-up periods revealed some significant differences. Reporting in the follow-up period was less sensationalistic, there was less reporting about specific cases of suicides and more about causes of suicide and pathways out of mental distress. Furthermore, in the follow-up period, there was a significant improvement related to headlines of media articles. Contact information about where to seek help was more often included in the articles. The findings are promising, but working with the media needs to be continuous and ongoing if sustainable results are to be achieved.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3678437
Prisoners are an extremely vulnerable group regarding suicidal behaviour, with a consistently higher prevalence of suicide when compared to the general population. However, the characteristics of suicidal behaviour for this group are understudied in Slovenia. We wanted to investigate the characteristics of suicidal behaviour and suicide-related factors in male prisoners of this country and recruited 419 male prisoners. These individuals filled-in a package of questionnaires which included demographic characteristics, medical history, WHOQOL-BREF, Five Well-Being Index, Paykel’s questions on suicidal behaviour, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Interpersonal Needs questionnaire. Study results showed that 10.3% of participants reported being at current risk for suicide, with these inmates reporting more severe mental health problems, lower quality of life and lower well-being levels. Lack of social contacts did not affect mental health as much as the quality of social support, where perceived belongingness and acceptance by others represented a protective factor for suicidal behaviour.
COBISS.SI-ID: 45471747
Men represent the majority of those who die by suicide worldwide, with the cross-national aggregate age-standardized ratio of male-to-female suicide of 3.5:1. However, there is scant research examining men's experiences of mental health problems, how attitudes towards suicide and help-seeking affect their behaviour and what the signs of depression and suicidality are among them. In addition, within the male population, prisoners are an extremely vulnerable group, with a consistently higher prevalence of suicide when compared with the general population, due to specific and various factors that may increase the risk of suicide. The main goals of our research were, therefore, to examine the charasteristics and risk sings of suicidal behaviour in men, how masculine roles and attitudes influence this behaviour among male suicide attempters and male prisoners and what the age-specific trends of suicidal behaviour are in this population.
COBISS.SI-ID: 70424162