Cited by 89Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesMental Health Treatment and AccessHomicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse

People Who Die by Suicide Without Receiving Mental Health Services: A Systematic Review

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Tang, Samantha, Reily, Natalie M., Arena, Andrew F., Batterham, Philip J., Calear, Alison L., Carter, Gregory L., Mackinnon, Andrew J., Christensen, Helen·2022·Frontiers in Public Health

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The majority of people who die by suicide have never seen a mental health professional or been diagnosed with a mental illness. To date, this majority group has largely been ignored, with most existing research focusing on predictors of suicide such as past suicide attempts. Identifying the characteristics of people who die by suicide without receiving services, often with a fatal first attempt, is crucial to reduce suicide rates through guiding improvements to service pathways and "just in time" interventions. METHODS: In this systematic review, PsycInfo, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for peer-reviewed articles published from 1980 to 1st March 2021. Included studies examined predictors of non-receipt of formal mental health services among people who died by suicide. Data were extracted from published reports and the quality of included studies was assessed using a modified version of the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies. This review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD 42021226543. RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies met inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 39 to 193,152 individuals. Male sex, younger or older age, and rural location were consistently associated with non-receipt of mental health services. People not receiving mental health services were also less likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis, past suicidal behavior or contact with general health services, and more likely to use violent means of suicide. There was some evidence that minority ethnicity and psychosocial stressors were associated with service non-receipt. CONCLUSION: People who die by suicide without receiving mental health services are likely to have diverse profiles, indicating the need for multifaceted approaches to effectively support people at risk of suicide. Identifying the needs and preferences of individuals who are at risk of suicide is crucial in developing new support pathways and services, and improving the quality of existing services. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42021226543.

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  1. [105]Mok K Riley J Rosebrock H Gale N Nicolopoulos A Larsen M. The Lived Experience of Suicide: A Rapid Review. Sydney, NSW: The Black Dog Institute (2020).

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Authors
Tang, S., Reily, N. M., Arena, A. F., Batterham, P. J., Calear, A. L., Carter, G. L., Mackinnon, A. J., & Christensen, H.
Affiliations
  • Black Dog Institute (AU)
  • Australian National University (AU)
  • University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
Corresponding author
Tang, Samantha
Venue
Frontiers in Public Health
Published
2022-01-18
Volume
9
Pages
736948-736948
ISSN
2296-2565 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4205736259
Cited by
89
References
107
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 9
FWCI
3.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (1200195, 1173146, 1155614, 1158707)
  • Medical Research Future Fund
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
Keywords
suicide, untreated mental illness, suicide risk factors, suicide attempts, rural residence, gender differences, ethnic minorities, psychosocial stressors, suicide prevention, service pathways
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Male, Mental Health Services, Rural Population

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