Erin Whittle

What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study

Despite higher rates of suicide in men, there is a dearth of research examining the perspectives and experiences of males at risk of suicide, particularly in terms of understanding how interventions can be tailored to men’s specific needs. The current study aimed to examine factors assisting, complicating or inhibiting interventions for men at risk, as well as outlining the roles of family, friends and others in male suicide prevention. Thirty-five male suicide survivors completed one-to-one interviews, and forty-seven family and friends of male suicide survivors participated in eight focus groups. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: (1) development of suicidal behaviours tends to follow a common path associated with specific types of risk factors (disrupted mood, unhelpful stoic beliefs and values, avoidant coping strategies, stressors), (2) men at risk of suicide tend to systematically misinterpret changes in their behaviour and thinking, (3) understanding mood and behavioural changes in men enables identification of opportunities to interrupt suicide progression, (4) distraction, provision of practical and emotional supports, along with professional intervention may effectively interrupt acute risk of harm, and (5) suicidal ideation may be reduced through provision of practical help to manage crises, and helping men to focus on obligations and their role within families. Findings suggest that interventions for men at risk of suicidal behaviours need to be tailored to specific risk indicators, developmental factors, care needs and individuals’ preferences. To our knowledge this is the first qualitative study to explore the experiences of both suicidal men and their family/friends after a suicide attempt, with the view to improve understanding of the processes which are effective in interrupting suicide and better inform interventions for men at risk.

On a Blue Note: Depressed Peoples’ Reasons for Listening to Music

Research suggests that negative moods may be associated with attraction to negative emotion in music, a finding that runs counter to mood management theory. Despite such evidence, no study has examined how and why people who have clinical depression listen to music. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted with textual responses from 294 online survey respondents (148 with depression and 146 without depression). Findings revealed that people with depression were more likely to use music to match or reflect mood or to express emotion, while those without depression were more likely to use music for energy and inspiration. Negative emotion in music enabled some to attend to negative emotion, with subsequent dissipation of negative mood. For others, it was connected with negative cognition and a worsening of negative mood.

Barriers and Enablers to Accessing Mental Health Services for People With Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT Background: It is well established that people with an intellectual disability have high rates of mental health problems, yet rates of uptake of services do not match need. Aim: To identify the current literature pertaining to the barriers and facilitators to access to mental health services for people with an intellectual disability. Method: A systematic search identified English-language articles that addressed barriers or enablers to access, mental health services, and intellectual disability from 2005 to 2016. Results were synthesized according to Gulliford et al.’s four dimensions of access: availability, utilization, relevance and effectiveness, and equity. Results: Barriers and enablers were identified across all the dimensions. Organizational barriers, lack of services, and poor-quality services related to deficits in knowledge were among the barriers discussed in the literature. Facilitators included emphasis on interagency collaboration, and training and education. Substantial gaps were also identified, particularly in relation to the lived experience of these barriers. Conclusions: Further research and evaluation across all aspects of access to mental health care for people with an intellectual disability is needed.

What might interrupt men's suicide? Results from an online survey of men

Objectives Men are almost two times more likely to die by suicide than women, yet little research has focused on what is required to prevent suicide among men. This paper aims to investigate what factors interrupt suicidal behaviour in men, and to examine differences according to known suicide risk factors. Setting Australia. Participants 251 Australian men aged 18 years and over who had made a suicide attempt 6–18 months prior to completing the survey. Outcomes The survey canvassed the language men use to describe their depression and suicidality, warning signs, barriers to accessing help and what is needed to interrupt a suicide attempt. ORs and χ2 were used to test for differences by age, geographic location and current depression severity. Results Of 299 men screened and eligible to participate, 251 completed all or part of the survey. Participants identified different words and warning signs for depression compared with suicidality. The most commonly endorsed barriers to accessing help were not wanting to burden others (66%) and having isolated themselves (63%). Men overwhelmingly endorsed ‘I thought about the consequences for my family’ as the factor which stopped a suicide attempt (67%). ‘I need support from someone I really trust and respect’ was also strongly endorsed. There were few differences by age, region or depression severity. Conclusions Participants were able to identify signs, albeit often subtle ones, that they were becoming depressed or suicidal. Similarly, most were able to identify active strategies to interrupt this downward spiral. Men wanted others to notice changes in their behaviour, and to approach them without judgement.

Tensions in perspectives on suicide prevention between men who have attempted suicide and their support networks: Secondary analysis of qualitative data

Men generally have higher rates of suicide, despite fewer overt indicators of risk. Differences in presentation and response suggest a need to better understand why suicide prevention is less effective for men.

What Can the Experiences of People With an Intellectual Disability Tell Us About the Desirable Attributes of a Mental Health Professional

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mental health professionals have reported that they have limited knowledge, skills, and confidence in the area of intellectual disability mental health. This article aims to learn from the experiences of people with intellectual disability about the attributes that may assist mainstream mental health professionals to provide them with a quality mental health service. Methods: Six people with intellectual disability participated in an interview or focus group. Thematic analysis was undertaken applying the Intellectual Disability Mental Health Core Competencies Framework. Results: The findings supported previous research for the need for mental health professionals to be adaptable, able to communicate, and work with a person’s support network. The study reinforced the need for professionals to undertake professional development in the area but also suggested that people with intellectual disability be included as educators and as peer workers. New attributes were identified, including the need for mental health professionals to be able to build rapport and trust through demonstrating their experience and respect for working with people with intellectual disability, and their ability to understand trauma and how it may influence mental health needs. Conclusions: The attributes identified in the study could be used to inform an intellectual disability mental health workforce development framework.

Access to mental health services: The experiences of people with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND People with intellectual disability experience higher rates of mental health disorders than the rest of the population, and expert opinion holds that multiple barriers prevent people with intellectual disability from accessing appropriate services. METHODS A qualitative study was designed to explore the lived experience of barriers and enablers to access to mental health services among people with intellectual disability. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with people with intellectual disability, carers and service providers. RESULTS Barriers and enablers were identified across four key dimensions of access: utilization of services; service availability; relevance, effectiveness and access; and equity and access. These factors operated at both systemic and personal levels. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study provide empirical evidence of anecdotal experiences of access to mental health services and provide insight into the ways users, carers and service providers navigate an often hostile system and indicate further directions for research.