Prioritizing Prevention: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:30, 7 August 2024

Upstream prevention is necessary.

Research has found that prevention is, in fact, the most effective way to prevent many mental health issues. []. Social Network Health approaches, which emphasize community relationships, are suited for prevention by design . Network health interventions target natural organizational groups to strengthen bonds, cohesion, and adaptive coping norms, all of which are logical targets for upstream suicide prevention. The side effects of focusing on prevention are, in sum, positive for community mental health. In the absence of the administration of universal screeners, or risk indicators available through diagnosis, broad based prevention can reach an entire community to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors.[] Preventive Interventions delivered in social systems are needed for broad impact.

Existing intervention programming focuses on detecting and remediating risk after suicidal individuals are identified. Although undoubtedly saving lives, this approach is insufficient on its own. According to Wyman (2020), using a network health framework, that strengthens positive social bonds and building healthy norms that incentivize adaptive coping, is a prevention model that has shows promising benefits. Expanding the focus on modifying “upstream” risk and protective processes—before the emergence of suicidal behavior—stands in contrast to current prevention programming focused on adult gatekeepers and screening after risks are identified. (Wyman 2014)

Dr Peter Wyman describes the import of prioritizing universal approaches to prevention for community mental health.

Upstream interventions, delivered through social systems in childhood and early adolescence, have the potential for reducing population-level suicide rates. By decreasing the number of adolescents with mental emotional and behavioral problems, as well as creating social environments that expose adolescents to positive coping norms, increase youth-adult connections, and reducing the impact adverse experiences. (Wyman 2014) Childhood and adolescence are key suicide “prevention window” periods. Approximately one half of emotional and behavioral disorders that are well-defined risk factors for suicide have onset of symptoms by age 14 years.

Prevention in schools:

Modern conceptions of mental health have transitioned from a predominantly problem reduction focus to a wellness promotion focus (Suldo & Shaffer, 2008). Thus, rather than exclusively targeting symptom reduction in individuals with mental illness, mental health services have gravitated towards prevention services that promote general wellness of the population (Prinz & Sanders, 2007). To attend to these issues, school-wide interventions based on the public health prevention model emerged in schools, most notably in the form of positive behavior interventions and support (PBIS; Smith, Molina, Massetti, Waschbush, & Pelham, 2007). Tier 1 systems, data, and practices support everyone across all settings. They establish the foundation for delivering regular, proactive support and preventing unwanted behaviors.

Dig In: (Link these to the research page) We just need the title and then send them to the research)

Peer-adult network structure and suicide attempts in 38 high schools: implications for network-informed suicide prevention (10,291 students)

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry *: * (2019), Peter A. Wyman, Trevor A. Pickering, Anthony R. Pisani, et al.

Effect of the Wingman-Connect Upstream Suicide Prevention Program for Air Force Personnel in Training. A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

JAMA Open Network, October, 2020

In modern contexts, preventative mental health care is rarely prioritized and extremely poorly resourced as a component of an integrated health care system in accordance with it's value to communities.[] (This is an opinion)

Many effective programs for children and adolescents prevent or reduce the severity of these mental, emotional, and behavioral problems, according to a recent National Academy of Sciences review. In addition to being a critical period for preventing disorders, childhood and early adolescence are important periods for preventing the onset of suicidal behaviors (Wyman 2014)

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 Existing intervention programming focuses on detecting and remediating risk after suicidal individuals are identified.<sup> </sup> Although undoubtedly saving lives, this approach is insufficient on its own. According to Wyman (2020), using a network health framework, that  strengthens  positive social bonds and building healthy norms that incentivize adaptive coping, is a prevention model that has shows promising benefits. Expanding the focus on modifying “upstream” risk and protective processes—before the emergence of suicidal behavior—stands in contrast to current prevention programming focused on adult gatekeepers and screening after risks are identified. (Wyman 2014)
+[[File:Universal Prevention.mp4|thumb|Dr Peter Wyman describes the import of prioritizing universal approaches to prevention for community mental health.]]
 Upstream interventions, delivered through social systems in childhood and early adolescence, have the potential for reducing population-level suicide rates. By decreasing the number of adolescents with mental emotional and behavioral problems, as well as creating social environments that expose adolescents to positive coping norms, increase youth-adult connections, and reducing the impact adverse experiences. (Wyman 2014) Childhood and adolescence are key suicide “prevention window” periods. Approximately one half of emotional and behavioral disorders that are well-defined risk factors for suicide have onset of symptoms by age 14 years.