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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Suicide | Research article

Depression stigma and management of suicidal callers: a cross-sectional survey of crisis hotline counselors

Authors: Ines Heinz, Roland Mergl, Ulrich Hegerl, Christine Rummel-Kluge, Elisabeth Kohls

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Crisis hotlines play a key role in suicide prevention worldwide following different approaches regarding risk assessment and management of suicidality. This is to our knowledge the first study investigating depression stigma in crisis hotline counselors. The association between stigma and self-rated knowledge and their exploration of suicide risk and consecutive management of suicidal callers is being investigated.

Methods

Data on depression stigma, self-rated knowledge, self-reported exploration and management of suicidality was collected from 893 counselors working for the German crisis hotline. Stigma in counselors had been compared to matched population sample (1002).

Results

Crisis hotline counselors reported significantly lower depression stigma compared to the general population. Depression stigma and age associations differed in both samples. The reported exploration of suicide risk in callers differed depending on the self-rated knowledge about suicidality and depending on the personal depression stigma, but not the reported consecutive management.

Conclusion

Compared to the general population, crisis hotline counselors seem to have fewer stigmatizing attitudes toward depression. Attitudes and self-rated knowledge seem to influence the confidence in counselors regarding the exploration of suicidal callers, but not the consecutive management. The results indicate that a profound training and hands-on information about depression and suicide risk seem to be essential.

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Title: Depression stigma and management of suicidal callers: a cross-sectional survey of crisis hotline counselors
Authors: Ines Heinz
Roland Mergl
Ulrich Hegerl
Christine Rummel-Kluge
Elisabeth Kohls
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Suicide
Suicide
Affective Disorder
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2325-y

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Depression stigma and management of suicidal callers: a cross-sectional survey of crisis hotline counselors

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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