Project 172443

Unfortunately, people who suffer from major mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression are at heightened risk to experience violence-related events in their lives. This includes suicide and suicide attempts, being victims of violence, and also engaging in violent behaviour. These adverse events are also related to one another. That is, people who experience one of these events are more likely to experience the others, compared to people who do not experience any of them. Separate lines of research have identified numerous risk factors for each adverse event. However, an integrated study of all three adverse events has yet to be undertaken, despite the great promise this holds for reducing the risk of these multiple adverse events. Such a line of research can enhance the health and safety of persons with major mental disorders by increasing the understanding of what factors lead to increased and decreased risk, and informing treatments that can reduce the risk for multiple adverse outcomes. This research project will follow a group of 300 persons with major mental disorders, and a matched comparison group of 150 persons without mental disorders, in order to determine (a) what the common and unique risk and protective factors are for suicide-related behaviour, victimization, and violence, (b) which of these risk and protective factors change over time, and hence would be particularly promising areas for risk-reduction intervention programs. In order to accomplish these goals, the study will include comprehensive baseline assessments of risk and protective factors, and three follow-ups within 12 months.