Suicide Prevention Training for Professionals in the Public Health Network in a Large Brazilian City

Abstract

The objective of this study was to improve health professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward suicide prevention. A suicide prevention training of 18 hours duration was conducted with 270 health professionals, mainly primary care workers, who were routinely involved with patients at high risk for suicide. Questionnaires were used to assess changes in attitudes and knowledge. The score in the knowledge questionnaire, with 21 points as maximum value, increased from 8.9 to 13 points (p < .001, significance level of 95%). Of the 25 questionnaire items representing attitudes, 18 showed significant change after the training. This training model has enhanced knowledge and attitudes toward suicide prevention in healthcare workers.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Characteristics, Functions, and Strategies

“…This phenomenon may also occur when text descriptions of NSSI are read (Lewis & Baker, 2011). The Internet may also serve to share NSSI methods (Whitlock et al, 2006) and strategies to conceal NSSI from others (Lewis & Baker, 2011;Whitlock et al, 2006).…”

“…Moreover, those who self-injure and discuss these experiences online sometimes depict NSSI in a way that minimizes its consequences (Lewis & Baker, 2011;Rodham et al, 2007). Beyond these risks, there is concern that NSSI imagery can be "triggering" (Lewis & Baker, 2011;; in other words, some individuals report that material, such as a graphic photograph of NSSI, may elevate NSSI urges and so increase risk. This phenomenon may also occur when text descriptions of NSSI are read (Lewis & Baker, 2011).…”

“…However, researchers caution that some online representations of NSSI (e.g., messages in discussion boards, online NSSI narratives, videos on YouTube) may normalize the behavior or even reinforce it if the content is repeatedly accessed (Lewis & Baker, 2011;Rodham et al, 2007;Whitlock et al, 2006), which is not beneficial. Moreover, those who self-injure and discuss these experiences online sometimes depict NSSI in a way that minimizes its consequences (Lewis & Baker, 2011;Rodham et al, 2007). Beyond these risks, there is concern that NSSI imagery can be "triggering" (Lewis & Baker, 2011;; in other words, some individuals report that material, such as a graphic photograph of NSSI, may elevate NSSI urges and so increase risk.…”

“…Research indicates that youth and young adults who self-injure may communicate online as a way to receive support and validation for their NSSI experiences, which in one sense is beneficial (Adams, Rodham, & Gavin, 2007;Johnson, Zastawny, & Kulpa, 2010;Lewis & Baker, 2011;Lewis, Heath, Sornberger, & Arbuthnott, 2012;Lewis, Heath, St Denis, & Noble, 2011;Lewis, Rosenrot, & Messner, in press;Rodham, Gavin, & Miles, 2007). However, researchers caution that some online representations of NSSI (e.g., messages in discussion boards, online NSSI narratives, videos on YouTube) may normalize the behavior or even reinforce it if the content is repeatedly accessed (Lewis & Baker, 2011;Rodham et al, 2007;Whitlock et al, 2006), which is not beneficial.…”

“…Beyond these risks, there is concern that NSSI imagery can be "triggering" (Lewis & Baker, 2011;; in other words, some individuals report that material, such as a graphic photograph of NSSI, may elevate NSSI urges and so increase risk. This phenomenon may also occur when text descriptions of NSSI are read (Lewis & Baker, 2011). The Internet may also serve to share NSSI methods (Whitlock et al, 2006) and strategies to conceal NSSI from others (Lewis & Baker, 2011;Whitlock et al, 2006).…”