Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本精神神経学会  

Ichushi

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

INTRODUCTION: Mental health professionals play an important role in helping patients at risk of suicide. Therefore, mental health professionals must acquire basic knowledge and skills in suicide prevention to support patients with suicidal behavior. However, not all mental health professionals have sufficient knowledge and skills, and educational programs for mental health professionals are rare. We previously developed a workshop covering 10 steps healthcare professionals must take to care for mentally ill patients (the 10 Essentials program), and we adapted it for suicide prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the 10 Essentials program's effectiveness in educating mental health professionals. METHODS: This was an intervention study (pre-post comparison test). The participants of the present study were the mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, mental health social workers, clinical psychologists, and occupational therapists) who took part in the 10 Essentials workshops we delivered to several communities in Japan. The Attitudes Toward Suicide Scale (ATTS) was administered to the participants pre- and post-training to assess changes in their attitudes toward suicide after participating in the program. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 264 participants who completed the questionnaires. Their ATTS scores at post-training were significantly higher (and therefore more favorable) in the following dimensions: "common occurrence" (p = 0.012), "unjustified behavior" (p < 0.0001), and "preventability/readiness to help" (p < 0.0001), compared with those at pretraining. The ATTS scores at post-training were significantly lower (and therefore more favorable) in "right to suicide" (p < 0.0001), "suicidal expression as a mere threat" (p < 0.0001), and "impulsiveness" (p < 0.0001) compared with pretraining scores. Attitudes toward suicide among the participants shifted in a favorable direction after the program. CONCLUSION:  In this study, the 10 Essentials program was effective in improving attitudes toward suicide among mental health professionals. Their attitudes became more favorable for helping patients with suicidal behavior. Further study will be needed to examine participants with different backgrounds and the long-term effects of the training.

DOI： 10.7759/cureus.77830

PubMed

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

AIM: Suicide is a serious global public health challenge recognised as a high priority by the World Health Organization. Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals and first responders play a critical role in suicide prevention. This study aimed to clarify attitudes and influencing factors among paramedics, nurses, and social workers in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey between 2015 and 2022 using a self-administered paper questionnaire. The Japanese version of the Attitudes Toward Suicide scale assessed six factors using a five-point Likert scale. A linear regression model was used to analyse variations associated with age, gender, profession, and experience. RESULTS: Among 685 respondents, 443 provided valid responses (paramedics: 34.8%, nurses: 38.8%, social workers: 26.4%). Paramedics were more likely than social workers to regard suicide as an unjustified act (β = 0.474, 95% CI: 0.167-0.780, P = 0.003) and as a threat (β = 0.450, 95% CI: 0.142-0.757, P = 0.004), and less likely to think suicide can happen to anyone (β = -0.640, 95% CI: -0.855--0.425, P < 0.001). Nurses regarded suicide as a threat (β = 0.394, 95% CI: 0.134-0.653, P = 0.003) and as an impulsive act (β = 0.220, 95% CI: 0.024-0.416, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Although we found differences in attitudes towards suicide between health professionals, there were also many commonalities. By holding workshops with a wide range of professionals, and deepening mutual understanding, it may be possible to implement seamless suicide prevention measures.

DOI： 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1654240

PubMed

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

AIM: Chronic insomnia disorder is common and associated with reduced quality of life. Benzodiazepine hypnotics are commonly prescribed for insomnia, but have potential side effects such as concentration impairment, somnolence, and dependence. Lemborexant (LEM) is an orexin receptor antagonist considered to have fewer side effects than benzodiazepine hypnotics. This study evaluated the effect of LEM on sleep in detail and examined whether benzodiazepine hypnotics can be gradually tapered by adding LEM. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the effectiveness of LEM in 28 outpatients with insomnia. Insomnia symptoms were assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) before and after LEM administration. We also attempted to taper benzodiazepine hypnotics and assessed benzodiazepine dose using diazepam equivalents for some patients taking benzodiazepine hypnotics. Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean AIS score was significantly improved after LEM treatment (8.7 ± 5.2 vs. 3.8 ± 3.3; P < 0.01). Among the AIS subitems, significant improvement was observed for six items: sleep induction, awakenings during the night, sleep quality, well-being, functioning capacity, and sleepiness during the day. The mean benzodiazepine dose was significantly lower after LEM treatment (4.6 ± 5.0 mg vs. 2.1 ± 3.3 mg; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated the potential of LEM for improving insomnia and reducing benzodiazepine dose.

DOI： 10.1002/pcn5.165

PubMed

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

BACKGROUND: Studies of quality of life among suicide attempters are limited while it is considered important for preventing reattempt of suicide. We investigated health related quality of life (HRQoL) in suicide attempters immediately after the suicide attempt and in the long term. METHODS: This was longitudinal data from a randomized controlled multicenter trial. The Japanese version of the Short Form Health Survey-36 as HRQOL measured at 0, 6, and 12 months after randomization. RESULTS: 799 patients (356 men and 443 women) were analyzed. At baseline, the mean physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS) scores were 34.56 and 35.15, respectively, and they were significantly low compared with those of the general population. PCS scores significantly improved from baseline to 6 months (p = 0.003), from baseline to 12 months (p < 0.0001), and from baseline to 12 months (p = 0.002). MCS scores significantly improved from baseline to 6 months (p < 0.0001) and from baseline to 12 months (p < 0.0001). However, neither PCS nor MCS scores reached those of the general population norm at 12 months post-suicide attempt. LIMITATIONS: Patients younger than 20 years and patients who self-harmed but were not admitted to an emergency department were excluded. CONCLUSION: This study presents a trajectory of HRQoL scores in suicide attempters from immediately after the suicide attempt to 1 year later. Further studies on HRQoL in suicide attempters are needed to elucidate the effective care for the attempters.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.036

PubMed

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J-GLOBAL

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J-GLOBAL

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J-GLOBAL

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J-GLOBAL

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J-GLOBAL

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