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FASD and Suicidality
This podcast episode is an excerpt of my part speaking on a panel titled “FASD & Suicidality” at the 2011 IHS/BIA/BIE/SAMHSA Action Summit for Suicide Prevention held in Scottsdale, AZ.
Panelist Members
(l to r): Michael Harris, Morgan Fawcett, Suzie Kuerschner, Kathryn Kelly, & Albert Allick
Kay Kelly (Project Director of the FASD Legal Issues Resource Center at the University of Washington @ http://depts.washington.edu/fadu/legalissues) and Morgan Fawcett (Tlingit flute player @ One Heart Creations) and his grandma Sue Hempel pulled together a terrific panel. Kay and Morgan spoke as well as Suzie Kuerschner (FASD Project Specialist @ Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board), Dr. Albert Allick (psychiatrist @ Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians), and myself.
Panel Description (from conference abstract):
Individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) have neuropsychological deficits that may contribute to increased suicide risk. The Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit (FADU) at the University of Washington did a pilot study using subjects drawn from their database of individuals diagnosed with FASD. Using the Lifetime Parasuicide/Suicide Attempt Count, it was found that one half of the study subjects reported at least one lifetime suicide attempt. It was found that 18% had made a severe suicide attempt, 27% had made a moderate-risk attempt and 9% had made a low-risk attempt. These rates of lifetime suicide attempts are significantly higher than the general population rate of 4.6% reported in the National Comorbidity Survey. Since FASD is found in Indian Country, an understanding of this possible link between FASD and suicide can be of help to behavioral health professionals in their efforts to address this very serious problem. If this potential for suicide is recognized in this population then appropriate services and effective interventions to reduce suicide attempts can be put in place. The panel will focus on practical suicide prevention strategies that can be utilized for those with FASD.
Podcast Notes
Here is the basic outline to my talk on the podcast:
- Be Aware Of Suicide Signs in Self and Others
- Be Connected to Self & Others
- Be Settled to connect to Self and Others
- Be Safe with Self and Others
There are also two articles on FASD and suicide:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and suicidality in a healthcare setting, by M.R. Baldwin
Suicide attempts among adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: clinical considerations, by J.E. Huggins, T. Grant, K. O’Malley, A.P. Streissguth
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