An in-depth assessment of the effectiveness of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) packages in improving self-esteem among suicide-attempted individuals: A case study in a selected district of Tamilnadu, India.

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates how well an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) package works to boost self-esteem in people who have made suicide attempts in the past.

Materials and methods: Using a pre-experimental design, the research involved a purposively selected sample of 100 participants from two hospitals in India. The 4-day intervention, which included individual psychotherapy, family therapy, psycho education on assertiveness training, and group therapy, was designed to raise the participants' self-esteem as determined by the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Before the intervention, during discharge, and throughout follow-ups at 15 and 30 days after release, evaluations were carried out. The characteristics of individuals who attempted suicide were examined, including age, sex, religion, education, occupation, family type, past suicide attempts, family history of suicide, marital status, timing of the attempt, source of poison, and reasons for poisoning.

Results: The follow-up phase saw gains in self-esteem levels that were sustained following the intervention, according to the results (23.95 ^{a vs b} P < 0.001, 35.53 ^{a vs c} P < 0.001 and 21.02 ^{b vs c} P < 0.001). The association among increases in self-esteem and demographic factors including age, sex, and marital status was also investigated in this study. The alterations in self-esteem levels were significantly correlated with age (11.9) and marital status (6.45).

Conclusion: This study emphasizes the potential of focused psychological treatments in the treatment of people who are at risk of relapsing into suicidal behavior. By addressing the root causes of poor self-esteem, these tactics may successfully support efforts to prevent suicide. Mental health team authorities should frame a policy to care suicide-attempted individuals by introducing IEC package concepts like individual therapy, family therapy, psycho education, and group therapy as a series of treatment packages to improve the wellbeing of suicide-attempted individuals.