None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aims of this study are to reduce suicidal behaviour and improve self-esteem amongst a cohort of adolescents identified as being at high-risk of suicidal behaviour, who are referred to ORYGEN Youth Health. We aim to do this by replicating previous intervention studies which have shown that sending a regular postcard to adults at high risk of suicide enquiring about their well being has reduced subsequent suicidal behaviour. We further intend to add individually tailored information regarding sources of help to each postcard, as well as some basic information about self-help strategies aimed at reducing depression and anxiety.The overall hypothesis is that receipt of a regular postcard enquiring about well being and informing the young person about appropriate, previously identified sources of help will reduce suicidal behaviour, over the study period. Specific hypotheses to be examined are that the receipt of a regular postcard will result in: 1) Decreased suicidal behaviour and ideation 2) A reduction in factors associated with suicide such as hopelessness and depression 3) Improved self-esteem and 4) An increase in perceived social support. We further hypothesise that: 5) There will be a positive association between reductions in suicidal behaviour and improved self-esteem and perceived support and 6) There will be a positive association between reduced suicidal behaviour and a reduction in hopelessness and depression.
Interventions
This is a randomized controlled trial. The intervention is receipt of a postcard enquiring about well-being, reminding about individual sources of help in times of crisis and containing a simple health promotion message. The postcard is received once a month for 12 months. The treatment group will receive the monthly postcard plus any treatment required.
Sponsors
Australian Rotary Health Research Fund
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
15 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Young people referred to ORYGEN Youth Health with a non-psychotic diosorder (Both males and females will be included in the study). 2. A recent or lifetime history of suicide risk as indicated by suicidal ideation or behaviour (including suicide attempts). 3. Resident in the Northwestern metropolitan region of Melbourne.
Exclusion criteria
1. Known organic cause for presentation2. Intellectual disability3. Inability to speak English.
Outcome results
None listed