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Suicide researchers receives top international award

17 May 2006

Suicide is not everyone’s cup of tea as serious scientific research, but Associate Professor Annette Beautrais from the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences has carved out an international reputation in this sensitive and emotional area over the last fifteen years.

In May she was honoured for her ground-breaking work by the granting of the Edwin Shneidman Award for 2006 for outstanding contributions in research, by the American Association of Suicidology. She is the first suicide researcher in New Zealand and Australia to receive this recognition.

The prestigious Award was made at the annual conference of the Association in Seattle, where Dr Beautrais gave the keynote address entitled “Is Suicidal Behaviour a Chronic Condition?”

“It is an honour to receive this Award which, I think, reflects the fact that New Zealand researchers achieve at levels that attract international recognition. However, my current concerns are focused more within New Zealand to ensure that the research I and my colleagues conduct is used effectively in the development of suicide prevention policy. The Shneidman Award is an acknowledgement that we have some of the best data on suicide in the world, and that this must be used wisely and thoughtfully in policy development.”

Associate Professor Beautrais has headed the Canterbury Suicide Project since 1991, establishing a reputation as this country’s pre-eminent researcher at a time when suicide has been a controversial and ‘hot’ political issue. She has been closely involved with the development of national suicide prevention strategies both here and internationally, informed by her rigorous research into the prevalence and aetiology of this condition.

Because of this background Dr Beautrais has often featured in the media, always carefully and persistently explaining that public information about suicide must be presented according to established media guidelines to avoid exacerbating and causing more unnecessary deaths. Often she has been disappointed by the response from the media, who have not followed agreed guidelines.

Nevertheless, over the last decade she has been pleased to see suicide trends in N.Z have declined significantly (youth suicide rates are down by a third from the mid 1990s), despite out-of-date and incorrect perceptions that we still has some of the worst figures in the western world. However, at present there is some concern at the recent spike upwards in suicide in 2003.

The Shneidman Award was a chance for Associate Professor Beautrais to present some of the key findings of her work to over 700 attendees from around the world. Her address outlined the international extent of suicide, explaining that it is a much under-rated health problem, and that people who have made one suicide attempt are very likely to try again, unless they get adequate treatment.

The presentation discussed two of her key studies which provide future directions: the first investigating mental and psychosocial outcomes after suicide attempts, the second looking at trends and outcomes of all suicide admissions to Christchurch Hospital over a decade.

She argues her results clearly show that suicidal behaviour, for many, is a chronic condition, not just a single event, and that we need to do more to help those who have made an attempt on their life.

“Critically, people who make multiple attempts usually have lives with multiple problems relating to such issues as mental health and depression, employment problems, relationship stresses, financial problems etc, “ she says “ What’s worse, is that for many the situation doesn’t change much following a suicide attempt, because people don’t get the help they need. Many will make further attempts.”

Therefore, she says, suicide is a chronic condition, often characterised by repetitive attempts. It is not a single crisis situation as often presented in the media, and misperceived by the public. Rather, it is a complex response by vulnerable people who need extensive long term treatment, care and support.

“My address provides solutions. What’s needed is much better psychiatric and psychosocial care for all people who have made serious attempts, not just those who are deemed to be at high risk, “says Beautrais. “My research shows the highest risk is just after a suicide attempt. However, there are often quite simple inexpensive solutions, but they need to be thorough, consistent and often long-term.”

“We must put much more emphasis as a community in N.Z on solving suicide through practical solutions, based on solid scientific research, which focus on strong support for all those who have made suicide attempts, not just those at highest risk before the event. Suicide is too devastating for families and the community to not improve how we address this tragedy.”

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