Title : The relationship between depression and suicide Clarifying mediating and moderating factors
Abstract:
Somewhere in the world, someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds (WHO, 2014). The relationship between depression and suicide is complicated. In the U.S., mental health problems were the most commonly found precipitating circumstance to suicide with roughly 38% describing a depressed mood prior to their death (Jack et al., MMWR, 2018). Approximately 75% of those individuals had diagnoses of clinical depression or dysthymia. Although much research has linked suicide to depression, the relationship is not linear or perfect (Overholser & Ridley, 2015). There are multiple mediating and moderating factors that seem to draw a line between clinical depression and the suicidal act. This presentation will explore those factors utilizing existing research in the field including studies conducted by the presenter. Participants will develop clinically relevant insights into variables that may lead a depressed person to die by suicide including substance use (alcohol and substance use disorders are present in 25-50% of all suicides), perceived burdensomeness, low sense of belonging or social connectedness, and hopelessness (Cavanaugh, 2003;Schneider, 2009; WHO, 2014). Participants will be able to apply new insights immediately to their clinical populations. Areas needing further research also will be explored.
