A Case Series Study of Help-Seeking among Younger and Older Men in Suicidal Crisis

Abstract

Due to the continuing high suicide rates among young men, there is a need to understand help-seeking behaviour and engagement with tailored suicide prevention interventions. The aim of this study was to compare help-seeking among younger and older men who attended a therapeutic centre for men in a suicidal crisis. In this case series study, data were collected from 546 men who were referred into a community-based therapeutic service in North West England. Of the 546 men, 337 (52%) received therapy; 161 (48%) were aged between 18 and 30 years (mean age 24 years, SD = 3.4). Analyses included baseline differences, symptom trajectories for the CORE-34 Clinical Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), and engagement with the therapy. For the CORE-OM, there was a clinically significant reduction in mean scores between assessment and discharge (p < 0.001) for both younger and older men. At initial assessment, younger men were less affected by entrapment (46% vs. 62%; p = 0.02), defeat (33% vs. 52%; p = 0.01), not engaging in new goals (38% vs. 47%; p = 0.02), and positive attitudes towards suicide (14% vs. 18%; p = 0.001) than older men. At discharge assessment, older men were significantly more likely to have an absence of positive future thinking (15% vs. 8%; p = 0.03), have less social support (45% vs. 33%; p = 0.02), and feelings of entrapment (17% vs. 14%; p = 0.02) than younger men. Future research needs to assess the long-term effects of help-seeking using a brief psychological intervention for young men in order to understand whether the effects of the therapy are sustainable over a period of time following discharge from the service.

Evaluating the role and effectiveness of co‐produced community‐based mental health interventions that aim to reduce suicide among adults: A systematic review

“…Half of the studies directly refer to co‐production as a methodological approach in the design of the suicide prevention intervention. 38 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 46 None of the studies provide an explicit definition of co‐production. Rather, most individual studies were found to integrate key elements of co‐production within the design and/or delivery of an intervention by involving stakeholders, representing the diverse modes in which co‐production can be applied.…”

“…Delivery of the intervention by former professional sportspeople who recalled their lived experience of mental illness/ adversity was perceived to possibly studies. Stakeholders included health professionals, clinicians, mental health specialists, police officers, [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] community representatives including sporting representatives (e.g., ex-rugby players) and community leaders, 38,[40][41][42][43]45,46 YouTubers, 50 those who are representative of theor with lived experience/or with lived experience. 38,[40][41][42][43]45,46,[48][49][50][51]…”

“…In contrast, discussions around the intervention and to troubleshoot potential problems that may occur during implementation were held between local police agencies before and during intervention delivery in Zealberg et al 47 Conversely, co-production informed service design and delivery of four studies focusing upon a suicide prevention intervention for men experiencing suicidal crisis. 38,[41][42][43] Co-production was integrated in the creation of personalized safety plans for asylum seekers and refugees. 39 Discussions acted as a forum for rapport building, enabling improved collaboration between diverse professional disciplines and people with lived experience.…”

“…This is also evident in the delivery of the James' Place Model, where co-production is used to tailor the suicide prevention intervention to suit the individual needs of men. 38,[41][42][43] Similarly, Ferguson et al 39 reported that participants in their study recognized individuals as being the expert of their own life when co-creating and co-developing safety plans with refugees and asylum seeker clients. Also, the rugby-themed Offload programme 45,46 was perceived as more relatable as it was delivered by those with lived experience of mental health conditions, used nonclinical language and was implemented within an informal, nonclinical environment (i.e., Rugby stadiums).…”

Public psychological crisis reports: an investigation during the remission of COVID-19 in China

“…For example, older had higher depression and anxiety (Tang et al , 2021). Saini et al (2021) also point out that older men were significantly more likely to have an absence of positive future thinking. It is worth noting that the belief that the Coronavirus is a greater threat to older adults in China is the possible reason for the older having more fears for COVID-19.…”