UC Suicide Prevention Researcher Lends Expertise in Ireland

Keith King, a University of Cincinnati assistant professor of health promotion, traveled to Ireland in October to present on suicide prevention strategies, as officials in the city of Cork, Ireland work to curb a recent upswing in suicides there. King presented his research and model for suicide prevention as part of a two-night workshop Oct. 14-15 for parents, teenagers, school officials and medical professionals.

King, a nationally recognized researcher and director of the Center for Prevention Studies in the UC College of Education, has previously published research on finding adolescents at risk for suicide and what school officials should do if a teen threatens, attempts or commits suicide. King was invited to present at the sessions by Mary Boyle, an Irish student studying at Oregon State University.

"We're hoping to develop more peer assistance programs in the schools there. The peer-to-peer groups involve teen leaders who were trained by suicide prevention professionals, and then they go on to train other groups of peers about the warning signs and risk factors to youth suicide. It's been successful because teens are more likely to pay attention to their peers on this matter than to an adult lecture," King says.

King spoke with a group of general practitioners and pediatricians on how they could educate family members on suicide prevention. "A sizeable percentage of teens and adults that attempt suicide had seen their practitioner in the past six months. People may come in to their office about another matter and mention their son is depressed, feeling helpless or currently experiencing mood swings. These family members need to recognize the warning signs and make the appropriate referral to a mental health professional."

King also addressed support programs for physicians. "Until recently, there really hasn't been a support system for doctors whose patients have committed suicide. Now, various bereavement groups are pairing up the doctors with parents who are coping with the loss of a child."

King is a member of the American Association of Suicidology, an organization that promotes research, education and training on understanding and preventing suicide. King says he hopes to team with the Southern Health Board and the Irish Association of Suicidology to work on future programs in Cork, Ireland, located in the southern region of the country.

For additional information on suicide prevention and on developing suicide prevention programs, King can be contacted by e-mail at keith.king@uc.edu