How Do Mental Health Concerns Impact Suicide Attempts? A Multi-Method Study of Police Calls for Service

• In Event: Solutions at the Intersection of Trauma, Mental Health, and Policy

Abstract

Each year 1.7 million people attempt suicide. A suicide attempt is a deliberate but unsuccessful attempt to take one’s own life. History of mental health concerns (including substance use disorders) increases the likelihood of suicide attempts. Despite this knowledge, it remains unclear what types of mental health concerns are prevalent among those who attempt suicide. It is also unknown if their reasons for attempting suicide differ from those without mental health concerns. While suicide attempts are non-fatal, they remain crucial to understand because they occur frequently, concern public safety, and often require police intervention. In this multi-methods study, we use four years of data (2018-2021) from service calls to a Midwest police department to conduct a thematic analysis to gain insight into the underlying reasons a person may attempt suicide. Results from this study will shed light on the relationship between mental health concerns and suicide attempts and identify contextual factors contributing to suicide attempts.

Authors

• Sarah A. Al Falatah, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Jennifer J. Tostlebe, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Sadaf Hashimi, University of Nebraska Omaha