The role of depression and use of alcohol and other drugs after partner suicide in the association between suicide bereavement and suicide: cohort study in the Danish population.

BACKGROUND: Although suicide bereavement is associated with suicide and self-harm, evidence regarding mechanisms is lacking. We investigated whether depression and substance use (alcohol and/or other drugs) explain the association between partner suicide bereavement and suicide. METHODS: Linkage of nationwide, longitudinal data from Denmark for the period 1980-2016 facilitated a comparison of 22 668 individuals exposed to bereavement by a partner's suicide with 913 402 individuals bereaved by a partner's death due to other causes. Using causal mediation models, we estimated the degree to which depression and substance use (considered separately) mediated the association between suicide bereavement and suicide. RESULTS: Suicide-bereaved partners were found to have a higher risk of suicide (HRadj = 1.59, 95% CI 1.36-1.86) and of depression (ORadj 1.16, 95% CI 1.09-1.25) when compared to other-bereaved partners, but a lower risk of substance use (ORadj 0.83; 95% CI 0.78-0.88). An increased risk of suicide was found among any bereaved individuals with a depression diagnosis recorded post-bereavement (ORadj 3.92, 95% CI 3.55-4.34). Mediation analysis revealed that depression mediated 2% (1.68%; 95% CI 0.23%-3.14%; p = 0.024) of the association between suicide bereavement and suicide in partners when using bereaved controls. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is a partial mediator of the association between suicide bereavement and suicide. Efforts to prevent and optimize the treatment of depression in suicide-bereaved people could reduce their suicide risk. Our findings might be conservative because we did not include cases of depression diagnosed in primary care. Further work is needed to understand this and other mediators.

Association of chronic pain with suicide attempt and death by suicide: a two-sample Mendelian randomization.

Prior studies have suggested an association between chronic pain and suicidal behavior. However, evidence supporting the causal nature of this association, and the role played by depression, remain difficult to establish due to confounding. We investigated associations of chronic pain with suicide attempt and death by suicide as well as the mediating role of depression in this association using a genetically informed method strengthening causal inference. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization. Independent SNPs (N = 97) from the multisite chronic pain GWAS (NGWAS = 387,649) were used as instrumental variables to test associations of chronic pain with suicide attempt (measured from hospital records; NGWAS = 50,264) and death by suicide (measured from official death causes; NGWAS = 18,085). Indirect associations of chronic pain with suicide attempt and death by suicide via major depressive disorder (NGWAS = 173,005) were estimated. Primary analyses were supported by a range of sensitivity and outlier analyses. We found evidence supporting the contribution of chronic pain to increasing the risk of suicide attempt (OR = 1.67, CI = 1.21-2.35) and death by suicide (OR = 2.00, CI = 1.10-3.62). Associations were consistent across sensitivity analysis methods, and no evidence for outliers driving these associations was found. Through mediation analyses, we found that major depressive disorder explained a substantial proportion of the association between chronic pain and suicide attempt (proportion mediated = 39%; ORindirect association = 1.32, CI = 1.09-1.61) and death by suicide (proportion mediated = 34%; ORindirect association = 1.40, CI = 1.13-1.73). Our findings suggest that both pain management interventions and prevention of depression are likely to be effective strategies to reduce suicide risk in individuals with chronic pain.

Zero Self-Harm app: a mobile phone application to reduce non-suicidal self-injury-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing healthcare problem. Individuals with NSSI have an increased risk of suicidality. Due to stigma, they may self-injure in secret, which means they might not seek help until events have escalated to include suicidal ideation or a mental disorder. Interventions delivered via mobile phone applications (apps) have been linked to reductions in self-injury. This protocol outlines a trial, which examines whether the Zero Self-Harm intervention, consisting of an app for people with NSSI, can reduce the number of NSSI episodes, suicide ideation, and depressive symptoms. METHODS: The trial will be conducted as a 6-month 2-arm, parallel-group, multicentre, pragmatic, randomized clinical superiority trial. The intervention group will receive the app and instructions on how to use it, while the control group will be allocated to a waitlist and allowed to download the app after 6 months. After inclusion, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome is the number of NSSI episodes during the preceding month, as measured at the 6 months follow-up with the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory. A total of 280 participants, 140 in each arm, will be included. DISCUSSION: This trial will assess the effectiveness of the Zero Self-Harm intervention to reduce the number of NSSI episodes. If effective, the app will have the potential to support a large group of people with NSSI. Considering the stigma related to NSSI, the fact that the app may be used in private and anonymously might make it an appealing and acceptable option for support. The app was developed in collaboration with people with lived experiences related to current and/or previous NSSI. As a result of this, the app focuses on minimizing harm, rather than stopping NSSI. This might enhance its utilization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04463654 . Registered on 7 June 2020.

The effect of the SAFE intervention on post-discharge suicidal behavior: a quasi-experimental study using propensity score matching.

OBJECTIVES: The risk of suicidal behavior after discharge from psychiatric admission is high. The aim of this study was to examine whether the SAFE intervention, an implementation of a systematic safer discharge procedure, was associated with a reduction in suicidal behavior after discharge. METHODS: The SAFE intervention was implemented at Mental Health Center Copenhagen in March 2018 and consisted of three systematic discharge procedures: (1) A face-to-face meeting between patient and outpatient staff prior to discharge, (2) A face-to-face meeting within the first week after discharge, and (3) Involvement of relatives. Risk of suicide attempt at six-month post-discharge among patients discharged from the SAFE intervention was compared with patients discharged from comparison mental health centers using propensity score matching. RESULTS: 7604 discharges took place at the intervention site, which were 1:1 matched with discharges from comparison sites. During the six months of follow-up, a total of 570 suicide attempts and 25 suicides occurred. The rate of suicide attempt was 11,652 per 100,000 person-years at the SAFE site, while it was 10,530 at comparisons sites. No observable difference in suicide attempt 1.10 (95% CI: 0.89-1.35) or death by suicide (OR = 1.27; 95% CI:0.58-2.81) was found between sites at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: No difference in suicidal behavior between the sites was found in this pragmatic study. High rates of suicidal behavior were found during the 6-months discharge period, which could suggest that a preventive intervention should include support over a longer post-discharge period than the one-week follow-up offered in the SAFE intervention.

Sense of psychological ownership in co-design processes: A case study.

INTRODUCTION: Service users are increasingly participating in health research. Although collaborative research is assumed to give users a sense of psychological ownership, little is known about the specific psychosocial processes through which ownership develops and is displayed. The present study yields insight into a process in which service users, researchers and a website designer collaborated to design a website. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore how participants developed and displayed feelings of ownership during a collaborative process to design a website. METHODS: A case study design was adopted by which audio recordings were subjected to thematic analysis and interpreted by drawing on the concept of psychological ownership. FINDINGS: A sense of psychological ownership of the website design process emerged in two distinct and overlapping phases. In the first phase, 'sense of ownership during the early design phase', only researchers and the website designer displayed a sense of ownership, which was facilitated by the research context preceding the collaborative workshops. In the second phase, 'sense of ownership during the collaborative design phase', service users gradually started to develop parallel feelings of ownership that were facilitated by workshop design activities. These activities enabled service users to increasingly control the process, to invest themselves in the process and to gain intimate knowledge of the process and its outcome. Service users' sense of ownership was displayed in their statements about the website and its elements. CONCLUSION: Participants engaged in codesign processes may develop a sense of psychological ownership at different speeds because of contextual factors. It is important to take this into account as it may complicate the formation of egalitarian work groups. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Parents of children with suicidal behaviour and a counsellor participated as service users in a website design process.

Situation Analysis of Suicide and Self-Harm in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

OBJECTIVE: An estimated 41,000 lives are lost to suicide each year in World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region Office (WHO EMRO) countries. The objective of this study was to conduct a situation analysis for suicide and self-harm in the WHO EMRO region. METHODS: Data on suicide were obtained from the WHO Global Health Estimates for the years 2000-2019. Information on risk groups efforts to prevent self-harm and suicide in the EMRO region were retrieved through scientific studies, grey literature, and public websites. RESULTS: During 2000-2019, the age-standardized suicide rate was 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, albeit there are concerns regarding data quality. Self-harm and suicide remain criminal acts in more than half of the countries. Few countries have a national plan for prevention of suicide. Toxic agents, such as pesticides and black henna, are easily available and frequently used for suicide in some areas, as are firearms and self-immolation. Successful prevention measures include means restriction and psychosocial interventions after self-harm. CONCLUSION: Many WHO EMRO countries remain underserved in terms of mental health care. Decriminalization of suicide and means restriction might be further promoted. Online-based tools for mental health literacy and psychosocial therapy are other options to explore.

Suicidal behavior remains a criminal act in more than half of the WHO EMRO countries.Easily available toxic agents, such as pesticides and black henna, and firearms are common methods used for suicidal behavior in the WHO EMRO countries.Access to mental health care is limited in many of the WHO EMRO countries.Online-based psychoeducation and psychosocial intervention programs might be further explored as preventive efforts.

Investigating risk of self-harm and suicide on anniversaries after bereavement by suicide and other causes: a Danish population-based self-controlled case series study.

AIMS: To investigate mechanisms of suicide risk in people bereaved by suicide, prompted by observations that bereaved people experience higher levels of distress around dates of emotional significance. We hypothesised that suicide-bereaved first-degree relatives and partners experience an increased risk of self-harm and suicide around dates of (i) anniversaries of the death and (ii) the deceased's birthday, compared with intervening periods. METHODS: We conducted a self-controlled case series study using national register data on all individuals living in Denmark from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 2016 and who were bereaved by the suicide of a first-degree relative or partner (spouse or cohabitee) during that period, and who had the outcome (any episode of self-harm or suicide) within 5 years and 6 weeks of the bereavement. We compared relative incidence of suicidal behaviour in (i) the first 30 days after bereavement and (ii) in the aggregated exposed periods (6 weeks either side of death anniversaries; 6 weeks either side of the deceased's birthdays) to the reference (aggregated unexposed intervening periods). As an indirect comparison, we repeated these models in people bereaved by other causes. RESULTS: We found no evidence of an elevated risk of suicidal behaviour during periods around anniversaries of a death or the deceased's birthdays in people bereaved by suicide (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRRadj] = 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.87-1.16) or other causes (IRRadj = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.00-1.08) compared with intervening periods. Rates were elevated in the 30 days immediately after bereavement by other causes (IRRadj: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.77-2.22). CONCLUSIONS: Although people bereaved by suicide are at elevated risk of self-harm and suicide, our findings do not suggest that this risk is heightened around emotionally significant anniversaries. Bereavement care should be accessible at all points after a traumatic loss as needs will differ over the grief trajectory.

Association between substance-induced psychosis and suicide attempt: A Danish nation-wide register-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Substance-induced psychosis has previously been linked to an excess risk of suicide; however, the association between substance-induced psychosis and suicide attempt has hitherto not been investigated. We investigated whether substance-induced psychosis was associated with a higher risk of subsequent suicide attempt. DESIGN: Nation-wide prospective register-based cohort study. SETTING: Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: All people living in Denmark aged 13 years or more during 1995 to 2017. MEASUREMENTS: Substance-induced psychosis and suicide attempts were identified through hospital records as ICD-10 codes. FINDINGS: A total of 8900 (78.8% males) individuals were diagnosed with a substance-induced psychosis, and 740 of these had a suicide attempt during follow-up. People with a substance-induced psychosis had a higher risk of a subsequent suicide attempt [hazard ratio (HR) = 13.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 12.4-14.4] when compared with the general population. The highest hazard ratios were found for psychosis induced by opioids (HR = 26.4, 95% CI = 18.2-38.2); alcohol (HR = 17.7, 95% CI = 15.2-20.6); sedatives (HR = 17.2, 95% CI = 8.9-33.0); and cocaine (HR = 15.6, 95% CI = 10.7-22.8), while cannabis-induced psychosis was linked to an HR of 8.9 (95% CI = 7.7-10.3). Approximately 15% of patients with substance-induced psychosis had had a suicide attempt within 20 years of their substance-induced psychosis diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In Denmark, substance-induced psychosis appears to be strongly associated with subsequent suicide attempt, underscoring the importance of attention and better follow-up for this patient group.

Nordic region suicide trends 2000-2018; sex and age groups.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Overall, suicide rates in the Nordic region, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, have declined in the past 40 years. The aim of this study was to determine trends in suicide mortality from 2000 to 2018. METHODS: Data were obtained from official suicide statistics for men and women, 15 years and older. Gender and age groups in four calendar periods were analyzed using Joinpoint Estimated Regression Coefficient. RESULTS: The crude regional suicide rate was 17.1, 2000-2004, decreased to 14.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015-2018. Age-standardized rates are 13.6-11.3. The crude rate decreased by 19.5% (16.3% age-standardized), 19.3% for males and 20.5% for females. The largest decrease was found in Finland (34.9%), the smallest in Norway (1.4%). In males, the exception was an increased suicide rate among all Icelandic except 15-24-year olds, and in 45-64 year-old Norwegians. Among females, an increase was seen among 15-24-year olds in all countries except Iceland, in all age groups in Norway, and in 25-44-year olds in Sweden. In males, a decline of the suicide rated lower than 10% was noted in 25-44 olds in Norway and in 15-64 year-olds in Sweden. DISCUSSION: A robust decrease was observed in the overall regional suicide rate in recent years. Exceptions are rising rates in Icelandic males, in Norwegian females, and the youngest female groups in all except Iceland. The small decline among middle-aged males in Norway and Sweden is of concern.

Transgender Identity and Suicide Attempts and Mortality in Denmark.

Importance: Prior studies have suggested that transgender individuals may be a high-risk group with respect to suicide attempt and mortality, but large-scale, population-based investigations are lacking. Objective: To examine in a national setting whether transgender individuals have higher rates of suicide attempt and mortality than nontransgender individuals. Design, Setting, and Participants: Nationwide, register-based, retrospective cohort study on all 6 657 456 Danish-born individuals aged 15 years or older who lived in Denmark between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2021. Exposure: Transgender identity was determined through national hospital records and administrative records of legal change of gender. Main Outcomes and Measures: Suicide attempts, suicide deaths, nonsuicidal deaths, and deaths by any cause during 1980 through 2021 were identified in national hospitalization and causes of death registers. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) with 95% CIs controlling for calendar period, sex assigned at birth, and age were calculated. Results: The 6 657 456 study participants (50.0% assigned male sex at birth) were followed up during 171 023 873 person-years. Overall, 3759 individuals (0.06%; 52.5% assigned male sex at birth) were identified as transgender at a median age of 22 years (IQR, 18-31 years) and followed up during 21 404 person-years, during which 92 suicide attempts, 12 suicides, and 245 suicide-unrelated deaths occurred. Standardized suicide attempt rates per 100 000 person-years were 498 for transgender vs 71 for nontransgender individuals (aIRR, 7.7; 95% CI, 5.9-10.2). Standardized suicide mortality rates per 100 000 person-years were 75 for transgender vs 21 for nontransgender individuals (aIRR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.0-6.3). Standardized suicide-unrelated mortality rates per 100 000 person-years were 2380 for transgender vs 1310 for nontransgender individuals (aIRR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.6-2.2), and standardized all-cause mortality rates per 100 000 person-years were 2559 for transgender vs 1331 for nontransgender individuals (aIRR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.7-2.4). Despite declining rates of suicide attempts and mortality during the 42 years covered, aIRRs remained significantly elevated in recent calendar periods up to and including 2021 for suicide attempts (aIRR, 6.6; 95% CI, 4.5-9.5), suicide mortality (aIRR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-5.9), suicide-unrelated mortality (aIRR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1), and all-cause mortality (aIRR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4-2.1). Conclusions and Relevance: In this Danish population-based, retrospective cohort study, results suggest that transgender individuals had significantly higher rates of suicide attempt, suicide mortality, suicide-unrelated mortality, and all-cause mortality compared with the nontransgender population.

The Effects of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicidal Ideation or Behaviors on Depression, Anxiety, and Hopelessness in Individuals With Suicidal Ideation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a global public health problem. Digital interventions are considered a low-threshold treatment option for people with suicidal ideation or behaviors. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) targeting suicidal ideation has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing suicidal ideation. However, suicidal ideation often is related to additional mental health problems, which should be addressed for optimal care. Yet, the effects of iCBT on related symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze whether digital interventions targeting suicidal ideation had an effect on related mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, and hopelessness). METHODS: We systematically searched CENTRAL, PsycInfo, Embase, and PubMed for randomized controlled trials that investigated guided or unguided iCBT for suicidal ideation or behaviors. Participants reporting baseline suicidal ideation were eligible. Individual participant data (IPD) were collected from eligible trials. We conducted a 1-stage IPD meta-analysis on the effects on depression, anxiety, and hopelessness-analyzed as 2 indices: symptom severity and treatment response. RESULTS: We included IPD from 8 out of 9 eligible trials comprising 1980 participants with suicidal ideation. iCBT was associated with significant reductions in depression severity (b=-0.17; 95% CI -0.25 to -0.09; P<.001) and higher treatment response (ie, 50% reduction of depressive symptoms; b=0.36; 95% CI 0.12-0.60; P=.008) after treatment. We did not find significant effects on anxiety and hopelessness. CONCLUSIONS: iCBT for people with suicidal ideation revealed significant effects on depression outcomes but only minor or no effects on anxiety and hopelessness. Therefore, individuals with comorbid symptoms of anxiety or hopelessness may require additional treatment components to optimize care. Studies that monitor symptoms with higher temporal resolution and consider a broader spectrum of factors influencing suicidal ideation are needed to understand the complex interaction of suicidality and related mental health symptoms.

Cannabis Use Disorder and Subsequent Risk of Psychotic and Nonpsychotic Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

Importance: Cannabis use is increasing worldwide and is suspected to be associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders; however, the association with affective disorders has been insufficiently studied. Objective: To examine whether cannabis use disorder (CUD) is associated with an increased risk of psychotic and nonpsychotic unipolar depression and bipolar disorder and to compare associations of CUD with psychotic and nonpsychotic subtypes of these diagnoses. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective, population-based cohort study using Danish nationwide registers included all individuals born in Denmark before December 31, 2005, who were alive, aged at least 16 years, and living in Denmark between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2021. Exposure: Register-based diagnosis of CUD. Main Outcome and Measures: The main outcome was register-based diagnosis of psychotic or nonpsychotic unipolar depression or bipolar disorder. Associations between CUD and subsequent affective disorders were estimated as hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox proportional hazards regression with time-varying information on CUD, adjusting for sex; alcohol use disorder; substance use disorder; having been born in Denmark; calendar year; parental educational level (highest attained); parental cannabis, alcohol, or substance use disorders; and parental affective disorders. Results: A total of 6 651 765 individuals (50.3% female) were followed up for 119 526 786 person-years. Cannabis use disorder was associated with an increased risk of unipolar depression (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.78-1.90), psychotic unipolar depression (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.73-2.25), and nonpsychotic unipolar depression (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.77-1.89). Cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder in men (HR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.73-3.21) and women (HR, 2.54; 95% CI, 2.31-2.80), psychotic bipolar disorder (HR, 4.05; 95% CI, 3.52-4.65), and nonpsychotic bipolar disorder in men (HR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.73-3.21) and women (HR, 2.60; 95% CI, 2.36-2.85). Cannabis use disorder was associated with higher risk for psychotic than nonpsychotic subtypes of bipolar disorder (relative HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.21-1.81) but not unipolar depression (relative HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.92-1.27). Conclusions and Relevance: This population-based cohort study found that CUD was associated with an increased risk of psychotic and nonpsychotic bipolar disorder and unipolar depression. These findings may inform policies regarding the legal status and control of cannabis use.

Association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia stronger in young males than in females.

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests an increase in schizophrenia population attributable risk fraction (PARF) for cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, sex and age variations in CUD and schizophrenia suggest the importance of examining differences in PARFs in sex and age subgroups. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide Danish register-based cohort study including all individuals aged 16-49 at some point during 1972-2021. CUD and schizophrenia status was obtained from the registers. Hazard ratios (HR), incidence risk ratios (IRR), and PARFs were estimated. Joinpoint analyses were applied to sex-specific PARFs. RESULTS: We examined 6 907 859 individuals with 45 327 cases of incident schizophrenia during follow-up across 129 521 260 person-years. The overall adjusted HR (aHR) for CUD on schizophrenia was slightly higher among males (aHR = 2.42, 95% CI 2.33-2.52) than females (aHR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.89-2.17); however, among 16-20-year-olds, the adjusted IRR (aIRR) for males was more than twice that for females (males: aIRR = 3.84, 95% CI 3.43-4.29; females: aIRR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.53-2.15). During 1972-2021, the annual average percentage change in PARFs for CUD in schizophrenia incidence was 4.8 among males (95% CI 4.3-5.3; p < 0.0001) and 3.2 among females (95% CI 2.5-3.8; p < 0.0001). In 2021, among males, PARF was 15%; among females, it was around 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Young males might be particularly susceptible to the effects of cannabis on schizophrenia. At a population level, assuming causality, one-fifth of cases of schizophrenia among young males might be prevented by averting CUD. Results highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of CUD and policy decisions regarding cannabis use and access, particularly for 16-25-year-olds.

Association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and self-harm: Danish nationwide register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Case studies have linked SARS-CoV-2 infection to suicidal behaviour. However, conclusive evidence is lacking. AIMS: To examine whether a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection or SARS-CoV-2-related hospital admission was associated with self-harm in the general population and in high-risk groups. METHOD: A cohort design was applied to nationwide data on all people aged ≥15 years and living in Denmark between 27 February 2020 and 15 October 2021. Exposure was identified as having had a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, and further assessed as SARS-CoV-2-related hospital admission. Rates of probable self-harm were examined using adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs). The following subgroups were identified: (a) lower educational level, (b) chronic medical conditions, (c) disability pension, (d) mental disorders, (e) substance use disorders, and history of (f) homelessness and (g) imprisonment. RESULTS: Among 4 412 248 included individuals, 260 663 (5.9%) had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Out of 5453 individuals presenting with self-harm, 131 (2.4%) had been infected. Individuals with a history of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result had an aIRR for self-harm of 0.86 (95% CI 0.72-1.03) compared with those without. High rates were found after a SARS-CoV-2-related hospital admission (aIRR = 7.68; 95% CI 5.61-10.51) or a non-SARS-CoV-2-related admission (aIRR = 10.27; 95% CI 9.65-10.93) versus non-infected and not admitted. In sensitivity analyses with a more restrictive definition of self-harm, a positive PCR test was associated with lower rates of self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection did not have higher rates of self-harm than those without. Hospital admission in general, rather than being SARS-CoV-2 positive. seemed to be linked to elevated rates of self-harm.

Efforts to Prevent Railway Suicides in Denmark.

Background: Reviews of camera surveillance systems have demonstrated ambivalent behaviors among people who die by railway suicide. Yet, only few preventive measures have been evaluated. Aims: We aimed to review incidents of suicidal behavior at a Danish railway station, install preventive measures, and monitor subsequent calls to a telephone helpline and reports of suicidal incidences. Method: Suicide incidents at Valby Station during 2012-2018 were reviewed to identify options for preventive measures. Based on these findings, signs encouraging help-seeking and other measures were implemented. Calls to the Danish helpline for suicide prevention and suicidal events at the station were subsequently monitored. Results: The review revealed locations where measures were meaningful and signs, physical barriers, and motion-sensitive lights were installed. Over the following 14 months, no suicide deaths occurred, and the signs were mentioned in 14 calls to the helpline, some of which were made by callers who were evaluated to be at high risk of suicide. Limitations: No direct link between implemented measures and observed outcomes could be established. Conclusion: Installing measures, including signs, at appropriate locations at railway platforms may encourage people in crisis to seek support.

Suicide and Suicide Attempts Among Asylum-Seekers in Denmark.

OBJECTIVE: There are concerns that asylum-seekers are at increased risk of suicide attempt and suicide mortality. Yet, largescale nationwide studies are limited. Our aim was to examine whether asylum-seekers in Denmark had higher rates of suicide attempt and suicide when compared to the general population. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used. Data on asylum-seekers and the general population living in Denmark during 2009-2019 were obtained from the Immigration services and national registers. Indirect standardization was applied to adjust for differences with respect to age group and sex and Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: In a population of 78,666 asylum-seekers, a total of 601 suicide attempts and 9 suicides were recorded. The rate of suicide attempt was 842.0 per 100,000 person-years for asylum-seekers and 92.3 per 100,000 person-years for the general population. When adjusting for differences related to age group and sex, an IRR of 8.5 (95% CI: 7.6-9.5) was found for suicide attempt between 2014-2019. The IRR for suicide attempt unaccompanied minors between 2015 and 2019 was 5.8 (95% CI: 4.3-7.5) when adjusting for age group. We did not find an elevated rate of suicide among asylum-seekers (IRR: 1.6, 95% CI: 0.6-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Asylum-seekers were found to have higher rates of suicide attempt than the general population in Denmark. This also applied to unaccompanied minors. Our study emphasizes the need for awareness and preventive measures targeting mental health and suicidal behavior among asylum-seekers.HIGHLIGHTSAsylum-seekers had an 8-fold higher rate of suicide attempt than the general population.The suicide attempt rate for asylum-seekers reached its lowest levels during recent years.Unaccompanied minors had a 5-fold higher frequency of suicide attempt when compared to peers in the general population.We did not find elevated rates of death by suicide among asylum-seekers. No suicide deaths were recorded among unaccompanied minors.

Traumatic brain injury and risk of subsequent attempted suicide and violent crime.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause long-lasting sequelae that may increase the risk of suicidal or criminal behaviour, but large-scale longitudinal studies are lacking on the link between TBI and events of suicide attempt and violent crime. This study examined the incidence of suicide attempt and violent crime following hospital contact for TBI in a nationwide cohort study. METHODS: We used nationwide register data covering all individuals aged 10+ living in Denmark during 1980-2016 (n = 7 783 951). Of these, 587 522 individuals had a hospital contact for TBI. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated by Poisson regression analyses while adjusted for relevant covariates including other fractures and psychiatric diagnoses. RESULTS: Individuals with TBI had higher rates of suicide attempt (females IRR, 2.78; 95% CI 2.71-2.85; males IRR, 3.00; 95% CI 2.93-3.08) compared to individuals without TBI in adjusted analyses. Multiple TBI and temporal proximity to TBI were associated with higher rates of suicide attempt. Individuals with TBI had higher rates of violent crime (females IRR, 2.43; 95% CI 2.36-2.49; males IRR, 1.80, 95% CI 1.78-1.82) compared with individuals without TBI. Higher rates of violent crime were found after multiple TBI and temporal proximity to TBI. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide cohort study found higher rates of suicide attempt and violent crime among individuals with prior hospital diagnosed TBI, compared with individuals without TBI. This emphasises the need for preventive efforts immediately after TBI diagnosis, which might mitigate the risks of a trajectory toward suicidal or violent behaviours.

Level of Suicidal Ideation Among Callers to the Danish Suicide Prevention Helpline.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to: (1) determine the proportion of callers to a national helpline for suicide prevention who were evaluated to be at risk of suicide; (2) identify characteristics associated with being at risk; (3) determine the level of suicidal ideation among callers, as measured by a clinical scale, and compared to the general population. METHOD: Data on all calls answered at the Danish helpline for suicide prevention during 2018-2019 were analyzed. These consisted of socio-demographic covariates and items related to suicidality, including the Suicidal Ideation Attribute Scale (SIDAS). Data on SIDAS for the general population derived from a survey. Being at risk of suicide, as evaluated by the counselors, was examined as outcome in adjusted logistic regressions. RESULTS: Among 42,393 answered calls, 24,933 (59%) related to personal concerns. Of these, 47% and 14% of callers, respectively, had suicidal thoughts and concrete suicidal plans, while 53% were evaluated to be at risk. Higher risks were found when issues related to self-harm, mental health problems, eating disorders, incest, physical health problems, substance abuse, or sexual assault were mentioned. In all 37% of callers who were administered the SIDAS scale were evaluated to be at high risk of suicide compared to 1.5% in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial share of callers to a national helpline for suicide prevention were evaluated to be at risk of suicide, also when using a clinical scale. This emphasizes the potential for counselors to prevent suicidal behavior.HighlightsMore than half of callers reaching out to the helpline were evaluated to be at risk of suicide, and 37% were identified as being at high risk using SIDAS, a clinical scale.Being woman, of younger age, having a history of previous suicide attempt as well as experiencing problems related to self-harm, mental disorders, sexual assault, substance abuse, and physical health problems was associated with risk of suicide, as evaluated by counselors.This seemingly is the first study to compare clinical scores of helpline callers to those of the general population and significantly higher levels of suicidal ideation were found among helpline callers.

School performance and genetic propensities for educational attainment and depression in the etiology of self-harm: a Danish population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Poor school performance is linked to higher risks of self-harm. The association might be explained through genetic liabilities for depression or educational attainment. We investigated the association between school performance and self-harm in a population-based sample while assessing the potential influence of polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for depression (PRSMDD) and for educational attainment (PRSEDU). METHOD: We conducted a follow-up study of individuals born 1987-98 and followed from age 18 until 2016. The total sample consisted of a case group (23,779 diagnosed with mental disorders; schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a randomly sampled comparison group (n = 10,925). Genome-wide data were obtained from the Neonatal Screening Biobank and information on school performance, family psychiatric history, and socioeconomic status from national administrative registers. RESULTS: Individuals in the top PRSMDD decile were at higher self-harm risk in the case group (IRR: 1.30; 95% CI 1.15-1.46), whereas individuals in the top PRSEDU decile were at lower self-harm risk (IRR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.55-0.74). Poorer school performance was associated with higher self-harm risk in persons diagnosed with any mental disorder (IRR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.44-1.99) and among the comparison group (IRR: 7.93; 95% CI: 4.47-15.18). Observed effects of PRSMDD and PRSEDU on self-harm risk were strongest for individuals with poor school performance. CONCLUSION: Associations between PRSMDD and self-harm risk and between PRSEDU and self-harm risk were found. Nevertheless, these polygenic scores seem currently of limited clinical utility for identifying individuals at high self-harm risk.