TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - The spatio-temporal distribution of suicide-related emergency calls in a European city: age and gender patterns, and neighborhood influences
JO  - Psychosocial intervention
A1  - Marco, Miriam
A1  - López-Quílez, Antonio
A1  - Sanchez-Sáez, Francisco
A1  - Escobar-Hernández, Pablo
A1  - Montagud-Andrés, María
A1  - Lila, Marisol
A1  - Gracia, Enrique
SP  - 103
EP  - 115
VL  - 33
IS  - 2
N2  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive spatio-temporal analysis of suicide-related emergency calls in the city of Valencia (Spain) over a six-year period. To this end we first examined age and gender patterns and, second, the influence of neighborhood characteristics on general and gender-specific spatio-temporal patterns of suicide-related emergency calls. <br><br>METHOD: Geocoded data on suicide-related emergency calls between 2017 and 2022 (N = 10,030) were collected from the 112 emergency service in Valencia. Data were aggregated at the census block group level, used as a proxy for neighborhoods, and trimesters were considered as the temporal unit. Two set of analyses were performed: (1) demographic (age and gender) and temporal descriptive analyses and (2) general and gender-specific Bayesian spatio-temporal autoregressive models. <br><br>RESULTS: Descriptive analyses revealed a higher incidence of suicide-related emergency calls among females and an increase in calls among the 18-23 age group from 2020 onwards. The general spatio-temporal model showed higher levels of suicide-related emergency calls in neighborhoods characterized by lower education levels and population density, and higher residential mobility, aging population, and immigrant concentration. Relevant gender differences were also observed. A seasonal effect was noted, with a peak in calls during spring for females and summer for males. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for comprehensive mental health targeted interventions and preventive strategies that account for gender-specific disparities, age-related vulnerabilities, and the specific characteristics of neighborhoods.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1132-0559
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.5093/pi2024a8
ID  - ref1
ER  -