Cognitive Reappraisal Intervention for Suicide Prevention for Suicide

Many factors are involved in suicides; however, they are often simplified in statistical studies as suicide, depression, or substance abuse. Suicide occurs as a natural part of development or as an expression of mental illness.

Data from a recent study, the number of suicides that occurred in the United States over a year was calculated for every demographic subpopulation. Data from a recent study reported here suggest that there is a clear, rising trend in the number of suicides that occur in a given year in the United States. However, this trend seems to be more pronounced amongst males (as opposed to females) in the 25-34 age group, whereas for the elderly, the decline in the number of suicides that occur in a given year over the past several decades seems to be less marked.

The most common treatment for suicide used by American medical professionals is benzodiazepines, particularly diazepam, which can be used in a single dose. In cases where it is recommended, antidepressants are used in patients whose suicide attempts have failed; antidepressants and benzodiazepines are often used together during recovery. Antidepressants are also frequently prescribed in cases where no specific drug has been shown to be effective and where an alternative therapy is desired.

Suicide is a difficult-to-cure but very serious health problem. The first line of treatment needs to be the immediate provision of help and support to relatives and close people, such as the provision of a suicide first aid education and a suicide prevention hotline. Prevention of other suicides or suicide attempts by giving advice on coping skills should be pursued.

Suicide is a global health concern. It is ranked the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. It is a result of social, psychological and biological factors. The risk of suicide increases with age (in both sexes), is higher among the rich, ethnic minorities, and among those who have a history of mental illness, especially bipolar disorder and depression.

The suicidal person most often is a male in his or her teens or twenties. In this age bracket he or she is found to be predominantly depressed, to have lost a friend, and to have been involved in some form of violence. Suicidally motivated individuals have a variety of emotional and psychological signs. These might include emotional symptoms such as persistent loneliness, feeling disconnected from others, feeling that one's beliefs or values are unimportant or in doubt, and a sense of hopelessness. They might also have mental symptoms such as confusion, thought disorder, memory problems, and agitation. The suicidal person might also be visibly ill. These signs are common in people with schizophrenia and may indicate the need for a medical assessment.

All of the published research (except one for pediatric suicide) can be accessed in one place, [Schedules of Evidence by Year] (see ‘External links’). More than one randomized controlled trial (RCT) has not been published for any year. One RCT has been published since 2011. Although many more studies examining suicide-related variables are needed, there are some promising results coming from some of the studies that are available. Recent findings may be hindered by a few considerations such as the heterogeneity of the studies, the quality, the reporting, etc. To learn more, go to the http://emergency.cdc.gov/EID/content/emhys2.

Whilst the current studies provide evidence for the efficacy of cognitive reappraisal as a technique to prevent suicide, they only provided weak evidence for an increase in suicide rates; a statistically non-significant increase in suicides was found as early as 6 weeks after the intervention session. In addition, there was a significant decrease in the suicide rate between the first and second sessions in a subset of the studies, while in some studies there was no such reduction, indicating the need to further explore the use of intervening strategies during intervention in order to improve both the effectiveness and the long term prognosis. Therefore, the intervention would appear to have a clear impact in the short term but it appears there are few benefits in the long term.

This pilot study suggests that a cognitive reappraisal intervention can be effective at reducing suicide ideation in young, non-clinical individuals, and can significantly improve distress for all participants and for only those that experienced suicidal ideation.

A brief intervention to educate participants about mental illness and to teach them to use CR technique reduces the suicide risk, particularly when the individuals receive a CR intervention before suicide ideation.

This article is the first to provide a systematic meta-analysis of the scientific literature on the age of adolescent and adult suicide, and it provides strong evidence that the average age of suicide is consistently higher in Europe, specifically among men, and that the suicide rate of adolescents is highest in the developing world. Findings from a recent study have important implications for the prevention and treatment of the illness and its attendant social, psychological, and economic burden in adolescents. The evidence presented suggests a need to improve suicide prevention efforts and services in adolescent boys and girls, especially in developing countries.