Provincial correctional workers: Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts.

Abstract

Correctional service workers report stressful work environments that include repeated exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), shift work and long working hours, and pervasive unpredictability of threat, which may increase their risk for mental disorders and death by suicide. Correctional workers include all persons employed in the community (e.g., probation and parole officers), institutional (e.g., correctional officers, prison health care, and supervisors), and administrative (e.g., headquarters) settings. Little is known about the variation in the prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among correctional workers serving in specific occupational roles with different sociodemographic backgrounds. The present study was designed to provide estimates of past-year and lifetime suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts among a large and diverse sample of Canadian correctional workers serving in a provincial correctional service. Participants (n = 974, 51.4% female) completed an online survey that included measures of suicidal behavior. A substantial proportion of the overall sample reported past-year or lifetime suicidal ideation (7.0%, 26.6%), planning (2.6%, 11.9%), and attempts (n/a, 5.2%), with rates considerably higher than general population estimates. Specific sociodemographic variables (i.e., sex, age, education, and marital status) were associated with past-year and lifetime suicidal behaviors. The results appear to be the first Canadian-specific Public Safety Personnel (PSP) suicide data that describe diverse professionals working in provincial correctional facilities. The estimates of suicidal behavior rates among provincial correctional workers obtained in the present study provide valuable information for clinicians and correctional organizations to direct programming for prevention, treatment, and future research Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne

Mental Health Disorders and Suicidal Behaviors Among Provincial Correctional Workers

“…The current study unpacks the associations between prevalence of mental health disorders and suicidal behaviors among provincial correctional workers in Manitoba. Our results contribute to an emerging body of literature examining the well-being of PSP and, consistent with prior results, 25 highlights the vulnerability of correctional workers regarding mental well-being. In light of the association between positive screens for mental health disorders and suicidal behaviors, the results lend weight to the basis for current advocacy, policy, and academic efforts to enhance the mental health supports available to correctional staff, and point to the need for tailored multimodal mental health programs and services focused on mitigating suicidal behaviors.…”

“… 24 As such, the current results appear comparable to previous research, suggesting correctional workers are at high risk for suicidal behaviors, even relative to other PSP. The past-year and life time prevalence among Manitoba correctional workers is higher than reports from provincial correctional workers in Ontario (ie, 27%, 12%, and 5% for lifetime ideation, planning, and attempts respectively 25 ), which may indicate the need for specific additional research.…”

“…Regarding past year ideation, correctional workers screened positive for ideation at a prevalence of 11%, planning with 4.8%, and 0.4% had past year attempts 24 . More recently, a study conducted looking at suicidality among correctional workers in Ontario provincial correctional services found prevalence of life time ideation at 26.6%, 11.9% planning, and 5.2% attempts, with past year prevalence of 7.0% for ideation and 2.6% for planning (past year attempts were noted reported due to low numbers) 25 …”

“…The current study builds on previous research 25 by assessing lifetime and past-year suicidal behaviors (ie, thoughts, planning, attempts) among a sample of correctional workers in Manitoba. The study assesses for differences between correctional workers in Manitoba relative to other provincial correctional workers and federal correctional workers.…”

Testifying after an Investigation: Shaping the Mental Health of Public Safety Personnel

“…The number of correctional workers who report past-year and lifetime suicide behaviors is high (i.e., ideation [11%, 35.27%, respectively], planning [4.8%, 20.1%, respectively], attempts [0.4%, 8.1%, respectively]) [ 33 ]. Among provincial correctional workers in the province of Ontario, the prevalence is also quite high (i.e., ideation [7.0%, 26.6%, respectively], planning [2.6%, 11.9%, respectively], attempts [redacted, 5.2%]) [ 44 ]. Correctional workers also report comorbid mental health challenges [ 35 ] and difficulties with insomnia (58%) [ 36 ].…”