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Association between race and socioeconomic factors and suicide-related 911 call rate

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  • O'Connell, Katherine L.
  • Jacobson, Samantha V.
  • Ton, Andrew T.
  • Law, Keyne C.

Abstract

The American 911 emergency call system fulfills a unique role in preventing suicide and is universally available to all residents suffering a mental health crisis. Previous studies have found disparities between socioeconomic and racial groups in mental health treatment and in help-seeking behaviors. However, very few studies have analyzed disparities in the use of the 911 system for mental health or suicidal crises. The present study conducted negative binomial regression analyses to determine if an increase in suicide-related 911 call rate is associated with race and socioeconomic characteristics in Western King County, Washington. We used the geographic locations of 4823 suicide-related calls from January 2019 to June 2020 to contrast against 2019 demographic data from the Census Bureau. We found increased percentage of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), residents relying on private health insurance, and lower education levels were associated with a decreased suicide-related 911 call rate. We found residents relying on public health insurance to be associated with an increased suicide-related 911 call rate. Future research should explore how residents use 911 in mental health crises to further improve public suicide prevention efforts. Our findings demonstrate how areas with poor health care options may rely more on the 911 system amidst a suicidal crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • O'Connell, Katherine L. & Jacobson, Samantha V. & Ton, Andrew T. & Law, Keyne C., 2022. "Association between race and socioeconomic factors and suicide-related 911 call rate," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:306:y:2022:i:c:s0277953622004129
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miriam Marco & Antonio López-Quílez & David Conesa & Enrique Gracia & Marisol Lila, 2017. "Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Suicide-Related Emergency Calls," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Lersch, Kim M., 2020. "Exploring the geography of suicide threats and suicide attempts: An application of Risk Terrain Modeling," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    3. Cummings, J.R. & Lucas, S.M. & Druss, B.G., 2013. "Addressing public Stigma and disparities among persons with mental illness: The role of federal policy," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(5), pages 781-785.
    4. Anne Case & Angua Deaton, 2015. "Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century," Working Papers 15078.full.pdf, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
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