Suicide Prevention for Adults with Serious Mental Illness: A Scoping Review of Interventions and their Compatibility with a Recovery-Orientation

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Degree type
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
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Social Work
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suicide
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Copyright date
2025
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Rubin, Elizabeth
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Abstract

Objective: Adults with serious mental illness experience a disproportionately high rate of death by suicide, suggesting current suicide prevention interventions for this population may be ineffective. This study identified theoretical underpinnings and service characteristics of psychosocial suicide prevention interventions/programs and mapped the extent to which these interventions/programs integrate the recovery processes mandated of behavioral health services. Methods: Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR protocol for scoping reviews, a systematic search was conducted across six databases. Inclusion criteria included literature since 1993 focused on the population (adults with serious mental illness), concept (psychosocial suicide prevention interventions/programs), and context (behavioral health services in community behavioral health and medical settings). Data were extracted, charted, and analyzed for publications meeting inclusion criteria. Results: Thirty-four articles met inclusion criteria describing 20 suicide prevention interventions/programs designed for persons with serious mental illness. Eight interventions/programs were recovery oriented and had some efficacy in reducing suicide, with common features including a cognitive behavioral approach, individual intervention, and delivery with some mobile/telehealth augmentation. Conclusions: While a universal approach to preventing suicide for persons with serious mental illness remains elusive, promising directions for suicide prevention include additional research of transdiagnostic interventions, telehealth and mobile augmentation, and exploration of the causal pathways of suicide as they relate to the recovery processes.

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Solomon , Phyllis
Date of degree
2025
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