A qualitative analysis of suicide risk factors, preferred means, and means restriction feasibility within a homeless shelter environment

ABSTRACT

Suicide completion rates among homeless individuals are approximately nine times higher than the general population. The purpose of this study was to capture the state of social support among homeless individuals, understand how homeless community members support peers in crisis, examine the awareness of suicidal ideation, identify common methods for suicide, and generate strategies for means restriction within a shelter. Twenty individuals residing at an emergency shelter were interviewed. Participants were of diverse cultural identities overrepresented in the sample relative to the general population. Interviews revealed that 40% of participants lacked social support. However, the majority indicated that if they encountered someone at risk for suicide, they would provide support and encouragement to the at-risk individual. Almost half of participants reported knowing of an individual in the shelter who had previously attempted suicide and/or was currently or previously feeling suicidal. Overdose was identified as a primary method for suicide; however, the majority of participants were unable to generate strategies for means restriction. The present study offers a glimpse into the experience of homeless individuals and provides valuable information regarding risk factors for suicide within this highly marginalized and underserved population.

KEYWORDS:

• Homeless
• suicide
• social support
• minority
• means restriction

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc., specifically its CEO Mark Holleran, for providing essential access and support to complete this evaluation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Gabrielle Poon, Ph.D. ([email protected]) received both her M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University (PAU). She earned her B.S. in psychology from the University of North Florida.

Lori Holleran, Ph.D., MPH ([email protected]) earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University in 2017, her MPH from Harvard University in 2016, her M.S. in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University in 2015, and her MA in Psychology at Pepperdine University in 2011.

Joyce Chu, Ph.D. ([email protected]) is an Associate Professor at Palo Alto University (PAU). She earned her B.A. and M.A. in psychology at Stanford University and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan. She is the Director of the Diversity and Community Mental Health emphasis at PAU, which trains future psychologists to work with underserved populations in the public mental health sector. In 2012, Dr. Chu received the APA Division 12 Samuel M. Turner Early Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Diversity in Clinical Psychology. In 2013, she was awarded the AAPA Early Career Award from the Asian American Psychological Association.

Peter Goldblum, Ph.D., MPH ([email protected]) is a Professor of Psychology at Palo Alto University. He received his Ph.D. from Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (now PAU), his MPH from UC Berkeley School of Public Health, his MA in Psychology and Teaching from Teachers College-Columbia, and his BA from the University of Texas, Austin. He is the Co-Director of CLEAR and Director of the LGBTQ program at PAU. In 2008 he received the NCSPP Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Committee Award for his contribution to professional psychology.

Bruce Bongar, Ph.D., ABPP, FAPM ([email protected]) is a Calvin Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). He was a recipient of the Edwin Shneidman Award from the American Association of Suicidology for outstanding early career contributions to suicide research, and the Louis I. Dublin award for lifetime achievement in research on suicidology. In 2008, he was awarded the Florence Halpern award by the Division of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association for distinguished contributions to the practice of clinical psychology.

Additional information

Funding

The authors recognize support from the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology Graduate Research Grant and the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy.