Clinical risk factors among youth at high risk for suicide in South Africa and Guyana

Thornton, Veronica J.; Asanbe, Comfort B.; Denton, Ellen-ge

doi:10.1002/da.22889

Cited by 20 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…This study also found a statistically significant difference in the characteristics of suicide according to gender. Studies in other countries have indicated that girls report more emotional symptoms (e.g., depression) and interpersonal conflict, while boys are more often associated with engagement in violent experiences and anger-related symptoms [ 2 , 33 , 34 ] The current study’s findings are similar to those of earlier studies [ 35 ] and confirm that the effects of risk factors differ by gender. Boys tend to show more externalized problems (anger, difficulties with impulse control, risk-taking, and physical aggression) than girls, whereas girls tend to show more internalized problems (depressive symptoms and social exclusion) than boys [ 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Characteristics of Korean Children and Adolescents Who Die by Suicide Based on Teachers’ Reports

Lee

Jhone

Kim

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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We analyzed the clinical characteristics and suicide-related factors of students who died by suicide in Korea in 2016–2020, based on teachers’ reports. Using data on total suicide deaths (N = 654, mean age = 16.0, 52.6% boys) collected by the Ministry of Education of Korea, we investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics and suicide-related factors of suicide deaths in students aged 9–18 years. Considering gender, more boys (52.6%, N = 344) died by suicide than girls (47.4%, N = 310). About 425 (65.0%) of the suicides were among high school students. The most common suicide method was jumping from a high place (70.6%, N = 454), followed by hanging (25.7%, N = 165). Additionally, 9.4% (N = 48) of the students who died by suicide had a history of attempted suicide, 13.4% (N = 73) had attempted self-harm, and 12.8% (N = 48) were acquainted with someone who had died by suicide. Teachers observed 20.6% (N = 120) of the suicide warning signs at school. Girls tended to have higher rates of attempted suicide, emotional problems, and psychiatric disorders than boys. This study was conducted with the largest sample of Korean suicide students observed at school. Effective suicide-related mental health training for teachers could contribute to suicide prevention in students.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Characteristics of Korean Children and Adolescents Who Die by Suicide Based on Teachers’ Reports

Lee

Jhone

Kim

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…There is growing evidence highlighting the magnitude and rising prevalence of mental disorders, mental health symptoms and substance use among youth in Africa [ 2 , 8 , 9 , 28 ]. More recently suicide is becoming another growing topic of concern [ 29 , 30 ]. COVID-19 has amplified these existing problems for young people on a national, regional, and global scale [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘We do not talk about it’: Engaging youth in Malawi to inform adaptation of a mental health literacy intervention

Jumbe

Nyali

Simbeye³

et al. 2022

PLoS ONE

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Purpose There is limited knowledge on how to tackle mental health problems among youth in Africa. Literature describing community engagement (CE) approaches in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) health research is sparse. CE with youth from LMICS can help steer and shape culturally relevant interventions for stigmatised topics like mental health, resulting in better healthcare experiences. We share our experience of engaging youth in Malawi through advocacy organisations to inform cultural adaptation of a mental health literacy intervention. Methods Young people were recruited using social media from universities and community youth organisations in Malawi to participate in focus group discussions to help culturally adapt content of an existing mental health literacy intervention. Nine online focus groups with 44 individuals were conducted. Discussions involved views and experiences of mental health, including impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results Transcript analyses revealed a vicious cycle of poverty and mental health problems for youth in Malawi. Four key themes were identified, 1) poverty-related socioeconomic and health challenges, 2) no one talks about mental health, 3) lacking mental health support and 4) relationship issues. These themes fed into one another within this vicious cycle which perpetually and negatively impacted their lives. The coronavirus pandemic worsened socioeconomic issues, health challenges, mental health and substance use issues, and burden on Malawi’s already weak mental health system. Conclusion Findings suggest increasing untreated mental health burden among Malawi’s youth. It highlights great need to address mental health literacy using existing community structures like educational settings to minimise burden on a weak health system. Online focus groups are an effective way of acquiring views from various young people in Malawi on mental health. This CE approach has grown our stakeholder network, strengthening potential for future CE activities and broader research dissemination.

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“…Fifty-five (74•3%) of the studies reported prevalence estimates, though none reported lifetime, 12-month, 6month, and 1-month estimates, with 12-month estimates favoured by the majority (n = 30; 54•5%). As shown in Table 2, the reported lifetime prevalence estimates ranged from 1•4% to 48•3% [28,50]; the 12-month prevalence estimates varied between 0•9% and 35•8% [52,72]; the reported 6-month prevalence ranged from 7•4% to 22•7% [55,79]; and the 1-month reported prevalence estimates varied between 1•9% and 26•4% [31,58].…”

Section: Main Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-harm with suicidal and non-suicidal intent in young people in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

2020

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Background Self-harm, whether attributed to suicidal or non-suicidal motives, is associated with several poor outcomes in young people, including eventual suicide. Much of our understanding of self-harm in young people is based on literature from Europe (particularly, the UK), North America, and Australia. We aimed to synthesise the available evidence on prevalence, the commonly reported self-harm methods, correlates, risk and protective factors, and reasons for self-harm, in adolescents (aged 10–25 years) in sub-Saharan Africa. Method We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, African Journals OnLine, and African Index Medicus for records from 1950 through August 2019, without language restrictions. We supplemented the database searches by searching relevant portals for postgraduate theses, reference harvesting, contacting authors for unpublished studies, and hand searching relevant print sources. We applied narrative synthesis to the evidence. Results Seventy-four studies from 18 sub-Saharan African countries met the inclusion criteria. The median lifetime prevalence estimate was 10·3% (interquartile range [IQR] 4·6% – 16·1%); median 12-month prevalence estimate was 16·9% (IQR: 11·5% – 25·5%); median 6-month prevalence estimate was 18·2% (IQR: 12·7% – 21·8%); and the median 1-month prevalence estimate was 3·2% (IQR: 2·5–14·8%). Studies from Western sub-Saharan Africa reported the highest 12-month prevalence estimates (median = 24·3%; IQR = 16·9% – 27·9%). Clinical samples commonly reported overdose, whereas self-cutting was most commonly reported in non-clinical samples. Academic failure, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, romantic relationship problems, family conflict, depression, and previous self-harm were identified as key correlates of self-harm. No study reported protective factors against self-harm. Conclusion Variation in estimates was explained by small sample sizes and variation in definitions and measures used. Exploration of associations, risks and protective factors was based upon concepts and measures derived from high income countries. More detailed and culturally sensitive research is needed to understand the context-specific risks and protective factors for self-harm in adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Clinical risk factors among youth at high risk for suicide in South Africa and Guyana

Cited by 20 publications

References 49 publications

Characteristics of Korean Children and Adolescents Who Die by Suicide Based on Teachers’ Reports

Characteristics of Korean Children and Adolescents Who Die by Suicide Based on Teachers’ Reports

‘We do not talk about it’: Engaging youth in Malawi to inform adaptation of a mental health literacy intervention

Self-harm with suicidal and non-suicidal intent in young people in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

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