Using Information from the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System to Target Suicide Prevention Efforts

Transcription

1 Using Information from the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System to Target Suicide Prevention Efforts Holly Hedegaard, MD, MSPH Colorado Violent Death Reporting System Colorado Dept of Public Health & Environment STIPDA, April 2008

2 National Violent Death Reporting System Data system developed and supported by CDC 17 states currently funded Violent deaths include Homicides Suicides Unintentional deaths involving a firearm Legal intervention Selected deaths of undetermined intent

3 National Violent Death Reporting System Data collected from several sources Death certificates Coroner/medical examiner reports Law enforcement investigations Supplemental Homicide Report State crime lab Child Fatality Review Newspaper clippings

4 National Violent Death Reporting System Types of data collected include Demographics Circumstances of the event Details about the weapon used Alcohol/drug use by the decedent Type of location where the event happened Details about the suspect; relationship between the decedent and the suspect

5 Suicide in Colorado Suicide is the leading cause of injury death Colorado s suicide rate is the 6 th highest in the nation 2005 US rate = 11.0 per 100,000 population 2005 CO rate = 17.0 per 100,000 population

6 Colorado Violent Death Reporting System (Colorado VDRS) TOTAL Suicide Homicide Unintentional FA Legal Intervention TOTAL* *Deaths of undetermined intent not included

7 Suicide Rates by Age Group and Gender Colorado, Rate per 100,000 population Male Female

8 Suicide Numbers by Age Group and Gender Colorado, Number of deaths (3 year total) Male Female

9 Suicide Prevention Campaign for Men Ages Office of Suicide Prevention at CDPHE Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado Carson J Spencer Foundation American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Cactus Communications

10 Characteristics of Men Age who died by Suicide (Results from the Colorado VDRS, ) 83% are white, non-hispanic 34% are never married, 25% are divorced 20% have served in the Armed Forces 44% have a high school education (12 yrs) 24% have yrs education 19% have 16+ yrs education 12% have less than a high school education

11 Characteristics of Men Age who died by Suicide (Results from the Colorado VDRS, ) Most frequent occupations Construction 16% Health/medical/mental health 5% Computer technology 5% Trucking/transportation 5% Government/military 4% 49% used a firearm, 26% died by hanging, 20% died by drug overdose

12 Characteristics of Men Age who died by Suicide (Results from the Colorado VDRS, ) 33% had been diagnosed with a mental health problem (17% depression, 8% bipolar) 24% were currently under treatment 22% had a history of a previous suicide attempt 65% were depressed in the days prior to their death 32% had a problem with alcohol 20% had a substance abuse problem

13 Characteristics of Men Age who died by Suicide (Results from the Colorado VDRS, ) 47% had an intimate partner problem 20% had a non-intimate relationship problem 7% had been a perpetrator of interpersonal violence in the past month 30% had a recent job problem 29% had financial problems 23% had recent criminal legal problems 11% had non-criminal legal problems

14 Characteristics of Men Age who died by Suicide (Results from the Colorado VDRS, ) 35% had a crisis event within the 2 wks prior to their death 37% disclosed their intent to die by suicide 38% left a suicide note

15 Developing a Marketing Plan: Objectives Increase awareness of MH issues & suicide among men, including risk factors and warning signs Increase help seeking behavior by changing the pattern of behavior and/or societal norms that keep men from seeking professional help when suicidal Reduce the stigma of suicide and MH among men Establish and expand strong referral networks so that resources are available

16 Developing a Marketing Plan: Addressing Social Norms Social Norms about masculinity that can contribute to lack of help-seeking behavior among men No Sissy Stuff The Big Wheel The Sturdy Oak Give em Hell Advancing Suicide Prevention (2007)

17 Developing a Marketing Plan: Target Audiences Men Women Employers and Employee Assistance Programs Legal system Mental Health Professionals, Primary Care Physicians

18 Developing a Marketing Plan: Next Steps Use available information to draft suicide prevention messages Conduct focus group research with men ages Refine messaging and message delivery methods Second round of focus group research Finalize campaign messages, images, and delivery methods

19 Developing a Marketing Plan: Next Steps Create a strong marketing and communications infrastructure Develop, implement and manage a grass roots referral network Build relationships with mass media and recruit a spokesperson Launch campaign Monitor, evaluate and adjust campaign

20 Although a long-term and challenging task, directing suicide prevention messages, resources, and programs to middle-age men is essential if Colorado s suicide rate is to significantly decrease. Jarrod Hindman Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention