Clustering of suicides in children and adolescents
Suicide is one of the major causes of death in young people, in whom it can occur in clusters. In this review we have investigated definitions and epidemiology of such clusters, the factors associated with them, mechanisms by which they occur, and means of intervening and preventing them. Clustering...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2019
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| _version_ | 1797063992592564224 |
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| author | Hawton, K Hill, N Gould, M John, A Lascelles, K Robinson, J |
| author_facet | Hawton, K Hill, N Gould, M John, A Lascelles, K Robinson, J |
| author_sort | Hawton, K |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | Suicide is one of the major causes of death in young people, in whom it can occur in clusters. In this review we have investigated definitions and epidemiology of such clusters, the factors associated with them, mechanisms by which they occur, and means of intervening and preventing them. Clustering of suicidal behaviour is more common in young people than adults. Suicide clusters can occur as a greater number of episodes than expected at a specific location, including in institutions (e.g. schools, universities, psychiatric units, youth offender units). They may also involve linked episodes, spread out geographically. Locations exposed to clusters can be at risk for future clusters. Mechanisms involved in clusters include social transmission, particularly via person-to-person transmission and the media, perception that suicidal behaviour is widespread, vulnerable young people being more likely to socialise with others at risk of suicidal behaviour, and social cohesion contributing to the diffusion of ideas and attitudes. The internet and social media may play particularly important roles in spreading suicidal behaviour. The impact of suicide clusters on communities and institutions is usually profound. Experience of intervening in clusters has resulted in best practice guidance. This includes preparation for occurrence of clusters in both community and institutional settings. Identification of clusters in the community requires real-time monitoring of suicidal behaviour. Effective intervention is more likely if a cluster response group is established. The response should include bereavement support, provision of help for vulnerable individuals, proactive engagement with media interest, and population approaches to support and prevention. Social media can provide a powerful means for disseminating information and reaching young people at risk. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T21:07:55Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:3d186272-75c6-443e-8cc2-24620e91fb68 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T21:07:55Z |
| publishDate | 2019 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:3d186272-75c6-443e-8cc2-24620e91fb682022-03-26T14:17:33ZClustering of suicides in children and adolescentsJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:3d186272-75c6-443e-8cc2-24620e91fb68EnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordElsevier2019Hawton, KHill, NGould, MJohn, ALascelles, KRobinson, JSuicide is one of the major causes of death in young people, in whom it can occur in clusters. In this review we have investigated definitions and epidemiology of such clusters, the factors associated with them, mechanisms by which they occur, and means of intervening and preventing them. Clustering of suicidal behaviour is more common in young people than adults. Suicide clusters can occur as a greater number of episodes than expected at a specific location, including in institutions (e.g. schools, universities, psychiatric units, youth offender units). They may also involve linked episodes, spread out geographically. Locations exposed to clusters can be at risk for future clusters. Mechanisms involved in clusters include social transmission, particularly via person-to-person transmission and the media, perception that suicidal behaviour is widespread, vulnerable young people being more likely to socialise with others at risk of suicidal behaviour, and social cohesion contributing to the diffusion of ideas and attitudes. The internet and social media may play particularly important roles in spreading suicidal behaviour. The impact of suicide clusters on communities and institutions is usually profound. Experience of intervening in clusters has resulted in best practice guidance. This includes preparation for occurrence of clusters in both community and institutional settings. Identification of clusters in the community requires real-time monitoring of suicidal behaviour. Effective intervention is more likely if a cluster response group is established. The response should include bereavement support, provision of help for vulnerable individuals, proactive engagement with media interest, and population approaches to support and prevention. Social media can provide a powerful means for disseminating information and reaching young people at risk. |
| spellingShingle | Hawton, K Hill, N Gould, M John, A Lascelles, K Robinson, J Clustering of suicides in children and adolescents |
| title | Clustering of suicides in children and adolescents |
| title_full | Clustering of suicides in children and adolescents |
| title_fullStr | Clustering of suicides in children and adolescents |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clustering of suicides in children and adolescents |
| title_short | Clustering of suicides in children and adolescents |
| title_sort | clustering of suicides in children and adolescents |
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