Natasha Matta
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Lindsay Bornheimer
Research Mentor School/College/Department: / Social Work
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Authors: Natasha Matta, Juliann Li Verdugo, Lindsay Bornheimer
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that affects an estimated 1 in 300 people worldwide. Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) often experience significant impairments to daily functioning and premature death, on average, 15 to 20 years earlier than those without SSDs. Suicide is a leading cause of death among people with SSDs, and at least 5 to 13% of patients die by suicide. While this is a critical public health concern, there is a lack of research on suicide attempts within this population and few existing interventions or protocols for suicide prevention tailored for psychosis experiences. The present study will analyze existing psychological autopsy data of 59 individuals in Cuyahoga County, Ohio who died by suicide between the years 1989-2017 and were experiencing psychosis. Data will be descriptively analyzed in SPSS 28 to understand sample characteristics and preliminarily examine differences by demographic factors and clinical symptoms. Significant correlations between variables and suicide death or the number of suicide attempts may indicate possible suicide risk factors for people who experience psychosis. Findings have the potential to inform public health and clinical protocols pertaining to suicide prevention among serious mental illness populations including SSDs. Increasing understanding of suicide risk factors can allow for early and tailored interventions for people with psychosis and may facilitate access to life-saving care. A greater understanding of suicide attempts within this population can also importantly help decrease the stigma around psychosis, SSDs, and suicide.
