Does YOUR child self-harm? You have 1 year to stop suicide
- Research suggests people who self-harm have heightened risk for the first year
- Experts at Columbia University studied 61,297 people who’d been diagnosed
- Their suicide rate within 12 months was 37 times higher than general population
- Older, white men were the demographic most likely to kill themselves
James Draper For Mailonline
1
View
comments
Self-harming is a notoriously difficult problem to navigate.
But new US research suggests the first twelve months after it manifests are a crucial window of opportunity for intervention.
Especially, when it comes to parents or guardians stopping the disorder from escalating into suicide.
Scroll down for video
Insight: New US research suggests the first twelve months after self-harm manifests are a crucial window of opportunity for intervention
According to a study from Columbia University Medical Center and New York Psychiatric Institute, a formal diagnosis can be a precursor to suicide in roughly a fifth of patients.
Researchers used Medicaid data from 45 states during 2001-2007 to determine the one-year risk of repeated self-harm and suicide in 61,297 people.
This data were linked to the National Death Index, which provides information about dates and cause of death.
-
Is THIS the world’s biggest cyst? Woman, 24, with ovarian…
Luke Perry of Beverly Hills, 90210 reveals cancer scare…
The Galaxy hot chocolate that’s saltier than sea water:…
Woman, 27, forced to close her eyes with STICKY TAPE after…
Nearly 20 percent—mostly older, white people who had been recently treated for a mental disorder such as depression —repeated non-fatal self-harm during the follow-up period.
The one-year suicide rate in adults with deliberate self-harm was 37 times higher than in the general population.
In this group, males were twice as likely to complete suicide than females; while older, white adults had triple the suicide risk than younger, non-white adults.
Extensive: Experts at Columbia University studied 61,297 people who’d been diagnosed
Two-thirds of suicides during initial self-harm episodes were caused by violent methods, with over 40 percent related to firearms.
The risk of suicide was approximately 10 times greater in the first month after an initial episode of self-harm using a violent method compared with the following 11 months.
HOW COMMON IS SELF-HARMING?
1 in 10 youths will self-harm at some point, but it can happen at any age
In a study of over 4000 self-harming adults in hospital, 80% had overdosed and around 15% had cut themselves
In the community, it is likely that cutting is a more common way of self-harming than taking an overdose
SOURCE: ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS
‘The patterns seen in this study suggest that clinical efforts should focus on ensuring the safety of individuals who survive deliberate self-harm during the first few months after such attempts—particularly when a violent method such as a firearm has been used,’ said lead author Dr. Mark Olfson.
‘For these patients, clinicians should strongly consider inpatient admission, intensive supervision, and interventions targeting underlying mental disorders to reduce suicide risk.
‘In addition, clinicians can encourage family members to install trigger locks or temporarily store firearms outside the patient’s home.’
The results of the study were published today in American Journal of Psychiatry.
For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or, if in the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123
Share or comment on this article
-
Back to Bogside: Gerry Adams carries Martin McGuinness’s… -
EXCLUSIVE: Mel B files for DIVORCE from husband Stephen… -
The last witness: Bodyguard who found Hitler and Eva… -
‘Wanted for daylight robbery!’ Viewers of The Chase are… -
Mother, 37, and son, 20, who fell in love 18 years after… -
Inside the ‘billionaire bunkers’ where the world’s super… -
The friends’ trip to Paris that led to £9bn romance: How… -
The world’s last glimpse of Marilyn: Star’s final… -
Former market trader, 49, claims he has PROVED he’s the… -
EXCLUSIVE- It’s all downhill from here: Ivanka Trump and… -
Kim Jong-Un releases propaganda video where North Korea… -
What are you smiling about? Married biology teacher, 27,… -
Do-you-think-they-saur-us? Prince Harry treats Meghan… -
KATIE HOPKINS: Good riddance, McGuinness. The reason you… -
Murdered backpacker Danielle McLaughlin ‘was attacked in… -
‘Travelling is a more realistic goal’: Australian woman,… -
The last of the golden Gatsby playboys: David… -
Brave woman abused by the Rotherham sex gang ringleader…
Comments 1
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have been moderated in advance.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Your comment will be credited to your MailOnline persona.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
The post will be credited to your MailOnline username. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.