Citation

Di Pirchio R, Ghirini S, De Santis M, Sanseverino A, Mortali C, Vichi M, Longo E, Orri M, Forte A, Faieta A, Mastrobattista L. Ann. Ist. Super. Sanita 2024; 60(2): 154-165.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Istituto superiore di sanit)

DOI

10.4415/ANN_24_02_10

PMID

38984630

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Self- and hetero-directed violence (SHDV) is a serious public health problem and a complex phenomenon, influenced by individual and environmental factors. SHDV may occur particularly in moments of personal, economic and/or social crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ISS-Helplines operators have perceived an increase in psychological distress and self-isolation among callers. The ViolHelp project aimed at identifying potential warning signs and risk factors of SHDV emerging in the activity of the ISS-Helplines (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS, Italian National Institute of Health).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dashboard collecting warning signs and risk factors of SHDV was developed to be used during the ISS-Helplines activity.

RESULTS: In one year of data collection, 135 calls were compiled. In 106 calls, callers referred experienced violence: 72 self-directed violence (SDV), 20 hetero-directed violence (HDV), 14 both. The most frequent warning signs and risk factors for SDV were desire to die (68.6%), previous suicide attempts (31.4%) and threat of self-harm (25.6%); for HDV were depressed mood (32.4%), diagnosis of pathology and/or psychiatric disorders, desire to die, use of psychotropic drugs, and alcohol abuse (29.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot project show the importance of being able to read the warning signs and to create a network that can improve information, prevention and support activities for people at risk of violence and their families.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Risk Factors; Adult; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Pilot Projects; *Violence; Self-Injurious Behavior/epidemiology; Italy/epidemiology; *COVID-19/epidemiology/psychology/prevention & control; *Hotlines; Suicide, Attempted/statistics & numerical data