Implementing Real-Time Data Suicide Surveillance Systems

Baran, Anna; Gerstner, Rebekka; Ueda, Michiko; Gmitrowicz, Agnieszka

doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000829

Cited by 22 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…These use sources such as police reports and death certificates to classify deaths as suspected suicides. 14 They yield estimates that correspond closely with those from vital statistics systems. 14 Inclusion criteria.…”

Section: Data Inputsmentioning

confidence: 64%

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Suicide numbers during the first 9-15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-existing trends: An interrupted time series analysis in 33 countries

et al. 2022

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Section: Data Inputsmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…14 They yield estimates that correspond closely with those from vital statistics systems. 14 Inclusion criteria. We sought data from countries and areas-within-countries, including the latter to generate as global a synthesis of the evidence as possible.…”

Section: Data Inputsmentioning

confidence: 64%

Suicide numbers during the first 9-15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-existing trends: An interrupted time series analysis in 33 countries

et al. 2022

Self Cite

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“…This is perhaps unsurprising given the objective paucity of timely evidence on the impact of the pandemic on suicidal behaviour. The absence of an established ‘real-time surveillance system’ to monitor national suicide trends (without the considerable delays which accompany the publication of official suicide statistics [28]) leaves a vacuum of reliable information for the media (and indeed others) to draw upon. In this context, expert speculation about rises in suicide and alarmist comments about declining population mental health can fuel unhelpful media narratives about suicide increases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Media coverage and speculation about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide: A content analysis of UK news

Marzano

Hawley²,

Fraser³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Rationale: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been much concern and speculation about rises in suicide rates, despite evidence that suicides did not in fact increase in the first year of the pandemic in most countries with real-time suicide data. This public narrative is potentially harmful, as well as misleading, and is likely to be perpetuated by sensational news coverage. Method: We conducted a systematic analysis of UK news coverage (including opinion pieces) on the impact of COVID-19 on suicidality, to examine the content and quality of such reporting as the pandemic developed, and as different coronavirus restrictions were imposed. Results: We identified 372 stories about COVID-19 and suicidality in online and print news between the first UK lockdown (March 2020) and May 2021 (when restrictions were significantly eased in the UK). Throughout this period, over a third of articles (39.2%) and headlines (41.4%) claimed or predicted a rise in suicide, often attributed to feelings of entrapment and poor mental health (especially amongst young people), and fueled by expert commentary and speculation. Almost a third of reports were rated as being of poor overall quality (116, 31.2%), and at least half included no signposting to help and support. However, reporting improved in phases of less stringent COVID-19 restrictions and over time, with later articles and headlines including fewer negative statements and predictions about rises in suicides, and greater reliance on academic evidence. Conclusions: As the longer-term consequences of the pandemic develop, and other national and global events unfold, it is increasingly important that the media, and the wider community of experts shaping its narratives, strive for a positive and evidence-informed approach to news coverage of suicide.

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“…The Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030 of the World Health Organization (WHO) and The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 includes the specific target to reduce premature mortality by non-communicable diseases by one third, basing the rate of suicide mortality per 100,000 of the population as an indicator ( 2 , 3 ). To monitor progress towards this target, it is pertinent to obtain and collate suicide mortality data in a timely manner to inform the implementation, adaption, and evaluation of suicide prevention strategies to ensure their efficiency and efficacy in achieving the important objective of reducing deaths by suicide ( 5 ). To optimize utility, suicide mortality data should be disaggregated at least by gender, age, and method of death ( 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To optimize utility, suicide mortality data should be disaggregated at least by gender, age, and method of death ( 6 ). Accessibility to current suicide mortality data has additional benefits including early identification of emerging suicide contagion and clusters, a timely response to people affected by suicide, and verification of anecdotal evidence and public statements that are disseminated via media outlets ( 5 , 7 ). Furthermore, real-time suicide surveillance facilitates timely action in response to emerging situations that may impact rates of suicide ( 5 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The development and validation of a dashboard prototype for real-time suicide mortality data

Benson

Brunsdon

Rigby

et al. 2022

Front. Digit. Health

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Introduction/AimData visualisation is key to informing data-driven decision-making, yet this is an underexplored area of suicide surveillance. By way of enhancing a real-time suicide surveillance system model, an interactive dashboard prototype has been developed to facilitate emerging cluster detection, risk profiling and trend observation, as well as to establish a formal data sharing connection with key stakeholders via an intuitive interface.Materials and MethodsIndividual-level demographic and circumstantial data on cases of confirmed suicide and open verdicts meeting the criteria for suicide in County Cork 2008–2017 were analysed to validate the model. The retrospective and prospective space-time scan statistics based on a discrete Poisson model were employed via the R software environment using the “rsatscan” and “shiny” packages to conduct the space-time cluster analysis and deliver the mapping and graphic components encompassing the dashboard interface.ResultsUsing the best-fit parameters, the retrospective scan statistic returned several emerging non-significant clusters detected during the 10-year period, while the prospective approach demonstrated the predictive ability of the model. The outputs of the investigations are visually displayed using a geographical map of the identified clusters and a timeline of cluster occurrence.DiscussionThe challenges of designing and implementing visualizations for suspected suicide data are presented through a discussion of the development of the dashboard prototype and the potential it holds for supporting real-time decision-making.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that integration of a cluster detection approach involving geo-visualisation techniques, space-time scan statistics and predictive modelling would facilitate prospective early detection of emerging clusters, at-risk populations, and locations of concern. The prototype demonstrates real-world applicability as a proactive monitoring tool for timely action in suicide prevention by facilitating informed planning and preparedness to respond to emerging suicide clusters and other concerning trends.

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Implementing Real-Time Data Suicide Surveillance Systems

Cited by 22 publications

References 10 publications

Suicide numbers during the first 9-15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-existing trends: An interrupted time series analysis in 33 countries

Suicide numbers during the first 9-15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-existing trends: An interrupted time series analysis in 33 countries

Media coverage and speculation about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide: A content analysis of UK news

The development and validation of a dashboard prototype for real-time suicide mortality data

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