Breaking the Link Between Trauma and Suicide. Highlights from the 2015 Community Needs Assessment. Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition

Transcription

1 Breaking the Link Between Trauma and Suicide Highlights from the 2015 Community Needs Assessment Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition 1

2 General Data Analysis n Comparison of Juneau to the State: Similar to state rates and patterns for suicide, alcohol use, depression/ emotional distress despite Juneau s low unemployment and relative affluence n Ages of Completed Suicides in Juneau: Highest rate for seniors 65+; followed closely by young adults n Alaska Natives: Higher risk than non-natives; statewide rate for Alaska Natives is twice the statewide average 2

3 General Data Analysis (cont.) n Increased Risk for Alaska Natives: Alaska Native youth and adults are at greater suicide risk than non-natives 3

4 General Data Analysis (cont.) n Characteristics of Completed Suicides: Most common characteristics include mental health problems, substance abuse and relationship problems n Suicide Means/Attempts: Firearms as leading method, followed by strangulation and poisoning. Suicide attempts second only to falls for injury-related hospitalization in Southeast Alaska n Factors Influencing Suicide: Preliminary research indicated a strong correlation between trauma/violence, behavioral health problems and suicide 4

5 Background Information n Original ACE Study n Collaboration between Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente n 17,000 adult participants between 1995 and 1997 n Questioned participants regarding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) abuse, neglect and family dysfunction n Finding: ACEs result in significantly higher risks for serious physical and mental health problems including suicide. The more ACEs the higher the risk. 5

6 Background Information (cont.) n YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey) n Monitors risk factors for high school-aged youth that contribute to disability, social problems and death among youth and adults n Administered to high-school youth every two years n Includes information about ACEs, risky behavior and mental emotional distress 6

7 Background Information (cont.) n BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) Survey n Collects phone interview data from adults in all 50 states n Administered yearly; collects information on healthrelated risk behaviors, chronic health conditions and use of preventive services n Included a question on suicide ideation in 2011 and 2013; included questions on ACEs in

8 Detailed Data Analysis n Impact of Trauma: YRBS and BRFSS data indicate that: n There is a strong correlation between childhood trauma and increased suicide risk for youth and adults 8

9 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) Juneau YRBS : Youth Reporting Any of 4 Traumatic Events (being bullied, hit by partner, forced sex or child sexual abuse) for the Groups Reporting/Not Reporting Suicidal Thinking/ Plan/Attempt 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, ,330 Not Reporting Suicidal Thinking/Plan/Attempt Yes reporting 1+ YRBS Traumatic Events No report of YRBS Traumatic Events Reported Suicidal Thinking/ Plan/Attempt

10 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) 10

11 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) n Risky Behavior: There is a strong correlation between risky behavior (smoking, drinking, drugs, risky sex) and suicide for youth and adults. 11

12 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) n Alcohol/Drug Abuse and Completed Suicides: Intoxication and alcohol/drug abuse are strongly linked with completed suicides in Alaska 12

13 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) 13

14 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) n Mental/Emotional Distress: n There is a strong correlation between mental/emotional distress and suicide risk for youth and adults. 14

15 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) 15

16 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) n We also saw a strong correlation between emotional distress and trauma for youth in the YRBS 16

17 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) n Mental distress and completed suicides: Current mental health problems and history of mental illness/mental health problems are strongly linked with Alaska suicides. 17

18 Detailed Data Analysis (cont.) Factors Increasing Suicide Risk Indicated by Our Needs Assessment Traumatic Experiences Child Abuse (sexual, physical, emotional) Bullying Sexual Assault Interpersonal Violence Witnessing Violence Intergenerational Violence Historical Trauma Mental Illness/Severe Emotional Disorders Red Flags (Contributing Factors) Risky Behavior Alcohol Abuse Tobacco Abuse Drug Abuse Risky Sexual Behavior Emotional Distress Sadness/Depression Violence/Fighting Isolation Weapon Misuse Increased Suicide Risk 18

19 Community Readiness (cont.) n Community is relatively aware of individual issues such as suicide, domestic violence and bullying and prevention efforts in these areas. n Community is only vaguely aware of the relationship between trauma and suicide. n There is high level of passion in the community surrounding the issue of suicide; the passion needs to be harnessed to address trauma-based suicide. n Once the community better understands the relationship between trauma and suicide, resources will follow. 19

20 Breaking the Link Between Trauma and Suicide Factors Reducing Suicide Risk Indicated by Our Needs Assessment Interventions Protective Factors Friendships/Positive Relationships Involvement in Productive Activities Religious/Spiritual Connection Economic Stability Feeling that I Matter Universal Interventions Community Education/ Training Collaboration between Agencies Change Community Policies/Attitudes Selective Interventions Access to Mental health Services Access to Physical Health Services Reduced Suicide Risk 20