S012: Talking About & Preventing Suicide
Tracks
Track 9
| Wednesday, August 26, 2015 |
| 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
| Fitzroy Room |
Speaker
Donna Gillies
Senior Researcher
Western Sydney LHD
Root Cause Analyses RCAs of Suicides of mental health clients: Identifying systematic processes and service level prevention strategies
Abstract
Background
The ability to predict imminent risk of suicide is limited, particularly among mental health clients. The methodology of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) can be used by health services to identify service-wide approaches to suicide prevention.
Aim
To i) develop a standardised taxonomy to guide future RCAs; ii) quantitatively summarise service-related factors associated with suicides; and iii) identify service-related suicide prevention strategies.
Methods
The RCAs of all people who died by suicide within one week of contact with the mental health service over five years were thematically analysed using a data collection tool.
Results
Data were derived from RCAs of all 64 people who died by suicide between 2008 and 2012. Major themes were categorised as individual, situational and care-related factors. The major theme was recent denial of suicidality. Reliance on carers, recent changes in medication, communication problems, and problems in follow through were also commonly identified.
Conclusion
Given the difficulty in predicting suicide in people whose expressions of suicidal ideation change so rapidly, services may consider the use of strategies aimed at improving the individual, stressor, support, and care factors identified in this study.
References:
1. Gillies D, Chircop D, O'Halloran P (2015). Root Cause Analyses of suicides of Mental Health Clients: identifying systematic processes and service level prevention strategies. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention (in Press).
2. Murphy, S., Irving, CB., Adams, C.E., & Driver, R. (2012). Crisis intervention for people with severe mental illnesses. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 5:CD001087, 2012.
Learning Objectives: Participants will:
1). Better understand the importance and relevance of RCAs to improving organisational responses to suicide prevention
2). Increase their understanding of service related factors associated with suicide risk and potential organisational prevention strategies;
The ability to predict imminent risk of suicide is limited, particularly among mental health clients. The methodology of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) can be used by health services to identify service-wide approaches to suicide prevention.
Aim
To i) develop a standardised taxonomy to guide future RCAs; ii) quantitatively summarise service-related factors associated with suicides; and iii) identify service-related suicide prevention strategies.
Methods
The RCAs of all people who died by suicide within one week of contact with the mental health service over five years were thematically analysed using a data collection tool.
Results
Data were derived from RCAs of all 64 people who died by suicide between 2008 and 2012. Major themes were categorised as individual, situational and care-related factors. The major theme was recent denial of suicidality. Reliance on carers, recent changes in medication, communication problems, and problems in follow through were also commonly identified.
Conclusion
Given the difficulty in predicting suicide in people whose expressions of suicidal ideation change so rapidly, services may consider the use of strategies aimed at improving the individual, stressor, support, and care factors identified in this study.
References:
1. Gillies D, Chircop D, O'Halloran P (2015). Root Cause Analyses of suicides of Mental Health Clients: identifying systematic processes and service level prevention strategies. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention (in Press).
2. Murphy, S., Irving, CB., Adams, C.E., & Driver, R. (2012). Crisis intervention for people with severe mental illnesses. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 5:CD001087, 2012.
Learning Objectives: Participants will:
1). Better understand the importance and relevance of RCAs to improving organisational responses to suicide prevention
2). Increase their understanding of service related factors associated with suicide risk and potential organisational prevention strategies;
Biography
Donna Gillies: A researcher and research consultant for nearly twenty years mostly in Western Sydney Mental Health. Has published widely and is a methods and topic reviewer for a range of international publications. She also has a strong background in evidence-based practice having published systematic reviews and meta-analyses in a range of areas.
David Chircop: An Occupational Therapist. More recently work has focused on clinical governance, risk management, RCAs and leading quality improvement and accreditation processes. Currently he provides leadership for the coordination of patient safety and clinical quality processes for the mental health service.
Paul O'Halloran: Has worked for 35 years in mental health include directorship positions with the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, Kings College London, and National Institute for Mental Health, and as a consultant to the World Health Organisation. He is currently Senior Clinical Psychologist, Consultant in Assertive Community Treatment with Western Sydney LHD.
Ann Evans
Manager, Crisis Support Practice
Lifeline Australia
Preventing Suicide Online: Lifeline’s Crisis Support Chat Service
Abstract
Now in its fifth year, Lifeline’s Crisis Support Chat service utilises the same evidence-based Practice Model as the 13 11 14 telephone service, applied to the online environment. In 2013 the service received the TheMHS award for innovative use of technology.
The Crisis Support Chat service provides one-on-one, confidential crisis support to anyone living in Australia. Chats are answered by Crisis Supporters trained in 4 units of competency from the Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills as well as online-specific training and supervision. The service seeks to prevent suicide and provide crisis intervention, as well as enhancing resourcefulness and connecting help-seekers to further care and support.
This paper outlines the model used for crisis support online. It will also discuss Lifeline’s learnings from providing the service over the past five years, and how mental health professionals, community workers and others working in the field can utilise the service for clients or families in episodic crisis or at risk of suicide. Particularly appealing to young people and those concerned about confidentiality, this service provides a gateway to care as well as a back-up for longer term treatment.
The Crisis Support Chat service provides one-on-one, confidential crisis support to anyone living in Australia. Chats are answered by Crisis Supporters trained in 4 units of competency from the Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills as well as online-specific training and supervision. The service seeks to prevent suicide and provide crisis intervention, as well as enhancing resourcefulness and connecting help-seekers to further care and support.
This paper outlines the model used for crisis support online. It will also discuss Lifeline’s learnings from providing the service over the past five years, and how mental health professionals, community workers and others working in the field can utilise the service for clients or families in episodic crisis or at risk of suicide. Particularly appealing to young people and those concerned about confidentiality, this service provides a gateway to care as well as a back-up for longer term treatment.
Biography
Ann Evans, MAPS
Ann Evans is the Practice Adviser at Lifeline Australia. Ann is a psychologist whose role is about ensuring quality and consistent services across Lifeline’s national services, including the 13 11 14 crisis support line and the online Crisis Support Chat. In her role, Ann supports Lifeline Centres around the country to provide high quality crisis support services to help seekers and to look after the wellbeing of Crisis Supporters.
Ann has previously worked in primary mental health care in Australia and the UK, and has also worked in mental health and suicide prevention training, as well as mental health policy.
Alexandra Culloden
Senior Project Officer
Hunter New England Local Health District Hunter Institute of Mental Health
Conversations Matter when supporting communities to talk about suicide
Abstract
There has been healthy debate nationally about the potential benefits of talking more openly about suicide, within families, schools, workplaces and communities. While much opinion has been shared about the need to talk more about suicide, there is limited evidence, and therefore evidence-based resources, to guide these discussions across community settings.
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health was funded by the NSW Ministry of Health and the New South Wales Mental Health Commission to develop a series of resources, with development of the involving a multifaceted approach.
The result, a world-first online community resource to guide safe and supportive conversations about suicide Conversations Matter was launched in 2013. Developed in partnership with suicide prevention organisations, government departments, academics, community organisations, people who have previously attempted or been bereaved by suicide, and community members in New South Wales and across Australia, Conversations Matter support one-on-one and group discussions.
The Hunter Institute has employed the same framework to develop specific resources for professional engaging with communities around suicide. This paper is the first time these professional resources will be presented and will provide an overview of current plans for dissemination and professional development across a range of settings.
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health was funded by the NSW Ministry of Health and the New South Wales Mental Health Commission to develop a series of resources, with development of the involving a multifaceted approach.
The result, a world-first online community resource to guide safe and supportive conversations about suicide Conversations Matter was launched in 2013. Developed in partnership with suicide prevention organisations, government departments, academics, community organisations, people who have previously attempted or been bereaved by suicide, and community members in New South Wales and across Australia, Conversations Matter support one-on-one and group discussions.
The Hunter Institute has employed the same framework to develop specific resources for professional engaging with communities around suicide. This paper is the first time these professional resources will be presented and will provide an overview of current plans for dissemination and professional development across a range of settings.
Biography
Alexandra Culloden works at the Hunter Institute of Mental Health on the Community, Media and Arts program, specialising in work relating to the discussion of suicide in communities and the media as part of the Conversations Matter resources and via the Mindframe National Media Initiative.
Jaelea Skehan is an internationally respected leader in the prevention of mental illness and the prevention of suicide. Jaelea has worked across a range of settings and sectors and has been instrumental in the development of flagship programs including national work with the media under Mindframe, workplace mental health programs, suicide prevention programs and many others.
Tegan Cotterill is Projects Coordinator for the Community, Media and Arts Program, providing operational management of local and national programs, applying best practice in mental health promotion and the prevention of suicide. Current projects include Mindframe National Media Initiative, Conversations Matter, and national social media and suicide prevention work.
