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Effects of medical interventions on suicidal behavior. Introduction
K R Jamison1, R J Baldessarini
1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Background:
Knowledge of effective means of preventing suicide, based on research evidence, is strikingly limited, but there are indications that specific treatments may reduce suicidal risk in patients with major affective disorders.
Method:
An international symposium was held in Miami, Fla., February 26-28, 1998, to discuss current knowledge of the Effects of Medical Interventions on Suicidal Behavior. Participant experts prepared summary reports of their contributions.
Results:
Participants considered what is known about the effects of medical treatments on suicidal risk, as well as proposed approaches to future research. This supplement summarizes the proceedings of the symposium.
Conclusion:
The symposium strongly supported the proposition that suicide is amenable to ethical scientific investigation, suggested that evidence supporting suicide risk-reduction can be developed, and strongly encouraged studies to test the effects of specific interventions on suicidal risk. It also encouraged greater efforts at public and professional education to understand suicide as a result of mood and other psychiatric disorders, and to improve their early recognition and enhance timely access to effective treatment by the psychiatric and general medical community.
Insights
Effective suicide prevention strategies are limited, but research indicates medical treatments can reduce suicidal risk in patients with mood disorders. Further scientific investigation and public education are crucial for early recognition and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Medical Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited research evidence exists on effective suicide prevention methods.
- Indications suggest specific treatments may reduce suicidal risk in major affective disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss current knowledge on the effects of medical interventions on suicidal behavior.
- To propose future research approaches in suicide prevention.
Main Methods:
- An international symposium was convened with participating experts.
- Experts prepared summary reports on their contributions regarding medical interventions and suicidal behavior.
Main Results:
- Current knowledge on medical treatments' effects on suicidal risk was considered.
- Proposed approaches for future research were discussed.
Conclusions:
- Suicide is amenable to ethical scientific investigation.
- Evidence supporting suicide risk reduction can be developed through studies on specific interventions.
- Enhanced public and professional education is needed for early recognition and treatment of psychiatric disorders contributing to suicide.