Psych: Suicide and Suicide risk: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Suicide🎧 A sensitive but essential breakdown of Suicide as a medical and public health topic – ideal for MSRA preparation and clinical practice.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Suicide is defined as an intentional act of self-inflicted harm resulting in death.• It exists on a spectrum from suicidal ideation, planning, attempts, to completed suicide.• It is a multifactorial and deeply complex issue involving emotional, psychological, social, and medical dimensions.📌 Risk Factors• Mental illness (especially depression, bipolar, schizophrenia)• Substance misuse – drugs or alcohol• Previous suicide attempts – strongest predictor of future risk• Family history of suicide• Access to lethal means• Chronic illness, pain, recent stressors (e.g., bereavement, relationship breakdown)• Social isolation, trauma, or marginalisation• Demographics: Higher suicide completion in middle-aged men• Mnemonic: "SAD PERSONS" for common risk indicators📌 Protective Factors• Family support and strong personal relationships• Having children or dependents• Religious or cultural beliefs against suicide• Access to mental health services and community connection📌 Pathophysiology• Based on a biopsychosocial model• Biological: Imbalances in serotonin and other neurotransmitters• Psychological: Hopelessness, feeling trapped or burdensome• Social: Stigma, poverty, lack of access to care📌 Epidemiology• ~5,821 suicides in the UK in 2017• Higher completion in men (esp. aged 45–49), more attempts in women• WHO: Over 800,000 deaths/year globally• Geographic and socioeconomic variations noted within the UK📌 Common Methods• Hanging• Poisoning (including overdose)• Many had prior contact with healthcare professionals – key intervention point📌 Clinical Features (Warning Signs)• Expressing hopelessness, withdrawal from others• Giving away possessions• Mood changes, reckless behaviour• Talking or writing about death or suicide• Important note: Some individuals show no signs at all📌 Mental Health Links• 90% of those who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness• 25% had recent contact with mental health services• Most common diagnoses:Depression, bipolar, schizophreniaPersonality disordersAlcohol or drug misuse📌 Assessment• No reliable scoring system recommended – e.g., NICE does not endorse SAD PERSONS scale• Emphasis on clinical interview:Suicidal ideation? Intent? Planning?Mental state examPast attemptsAccess to means• Multidisciplinary input: healthcare, mental health, sometimes police or social services• Always assess intent + access + protective factors📌 Management• Tailored to risk level• Remove access to means where possible• Consider hospitalisation or Mental Health Act assessment if criteria met• Psychological therapies: CBT, DBT, crisis intervention• Medications: Antidepressants, mood stabilisers• Safety planning: crisis contacts, coping strategies• Follow-up: Especially after starting antidepressants due to risk period📌 Complications & Wider Impact• Suicide attempts may lead to long-term disability, physical injury• Survivors face intense psychological trauma• Ripple effect on families, friends, healthcare teams• Stigma adds to the burden• Importance of postvention support (for the bereaved)📎 More MSRA Resources📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/suicide-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/suicide-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/suicide-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/suicide-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Psychiatry Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/psychiatry-for-the-msra/Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQandANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialtyRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #Psychiatry #Suicide