Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie
Research
Suicide Research
Content on this page: Contact
Contact
Prof. Dr. med. Ute Lewitzka
lewitzka@med.uni-frankfurt.de
Michael Stäblein
michael.staeblein@unimedizin-ffm.de
About the Research Group
The aim of the research area suicidology is to systematically investigate the etiological factors of suicidal behavior and the therapeutic interventions that aim to influence it.
Our research group defines itself as an interdisciplinary and open working group with members from university and non-university research and care institutions, social associations and professional societies, and works particularly closely with the Technical University of Dresden. All participants share a common interest in researching suicidal behavior and improving suicide prevention strategies.
The meetings of our working group serve to present and discuss the results of the respective dissertations and scientific work as well as to generate new research ideas. Cooperation with other medical disciplines is particularly important to us here. Suicidal experience and behaviour have been demonstrated to affect people from adolescence to old age; as such, they must be addressed in a target group-specific manner in both research and prevention.
The regular working group meetings are also used to discuss relevant scientific publications, current political developments and the importance of the work with health policy decision-makers. In addition, the working group advises political institutions on the legislative framework for suicide prevention and assisted suicide. In this context, some members participate in voluntary activities with organisations such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Suizidprävention (DGS), the Werner-Felber-Institute e.V., Crisis Intervention Teams, and other non-profit associations.
The responsibilities of this group also encompass public relations work, with the objective of reducing the stigma associated with the topic. A variety of target groups are reached through events, further and advanced training, and media contributions. Knowledge is made available to both specialist and general audiences. For instance, the working group participates annually in the organisation of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Upcoming Events
Key Topics
- Early detection, risk assessment, and prevention of suicidal crises
- Investigation of risk and protective factors
- Identification and analysis of high-risk locations and development of structural prevention measures
- Evaluation of psychotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions for suicidal behavior
- Psychopharmacology of suicidal behavior and pharmacological suicide prevention
- Care following a suicide attempt and interfaces between inpatient, outpatient, and community-based treatment
- Postvention and support for family members following a suicide
Methods
- Clinical observational and intervention studies
- Epidemiological and health services research analyses
- Qualitative and mixed-methods research
- Psychometric diagnostics and longitudinal follow-up studies
- Geographic and spatial analyses of high-risk locations
- Evaluation of complex interventions and implementation research
- Secondary data analyses, registry data, and routine data research
Current Projects and Studies
PREVENTS
As part of the PREVENTS project, we are evaluating a short-term behavioral therapy program specifically designed for patients who have attempted suicide.
The RISE program (Relapse Prevention Intervention after Suicidal Event) is a manualized treatment program consisting of 5 sessions (+ an initial consultation). As part of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial, we are investigating whether RISE is more effective than standard inpatient psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment (TAU). The goal is long-term integration into routine care.
Collaboration: Bezirkskliniken Mittelfranken, Klinikum Hanau GmbH, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Städtisches Klinikum Dresden
Funding: The project is funded by the Joint Federal Committee.
Duration: 02/2026 – 04/2029
Selective Prevention of Depression and Suicidal Behavior in Older Adults
Establishment of a low-threshold social-psychiatric care program to ensure early referral of individuals aged 65 and older to psychiatric treatment (fast-track access).
Duration: since 15.08.2024
Cooperation: ODDO BHF Stiftung
Guidelines for Dealing with Suicidal Behavior
Introduction of guidelines for dealing with suicidal behavior in psychiatric and somatic hospitals.
Team
Group Leader
Prof. Dr. med. Ute Lewitzka
lewitzka@med.uni-frankfurt.de
Deputiy
Micheal Stäblein (FFM)
michael.staeblein@unimedizin-ffm.de
Burkhard Jabs (Dresden)
Scientific Core Team (in alphabetical order)
Tina Koch
Katharina König
Hannah Schayani
Arina Vorobyeva
Doctoral Candidates
Hanna Adolphsen
Alexandros Argyropoulos
Karoline Bingel
Sarah Duschek
Paul Goesmann
Anne Gläsing
Guilia Heil
Johannes Horn
Anton Jacobshagen
Jennifer Lettau
Maike Leuschner
Alexandra Morfakidis
Moritz Müller
Kilian Pooch
Susann Richter
Evgueny Romanov
Pauline Thüsing
Funding
Dr. Elmar und Ellis Reiss Stiftung
Crespo Foundation
Förderung Hochschulmedizin Dresden
Innofond
Henrik Sznapp Stifung
Freunde und Förderer e. V.
ODDO BHF Stiftung
Innovationsausschuss beim G-BA – Projekt Prevents
Dr. Elias und Hedwig Gulinsky-Stiftung
Current PhD and Master's Theses
- Hanna Adolpsen, Sarah Duschek and Karoline Karoline Bingel - Suicidality and Standard Blood Parameters in Gender-Incongruent Individuals: An Exploratory Investigation of Biological Correlates and Their Clinical Assessment
Suicidality represents a significant societal and public health problem, with certain vulnerable groups, such as gender-incongruent individuals, being at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. This pilot study therefore investigates potential associations between selected standard blood parameters and suicidality in this vulnerable group, with the long-term aim of improving risk detection and early intervention.
Cooperation: Natalie Metternich and Prof. Bojunga
- Alexandra Morfakidis - Suicidality among Dentists
- Guilia Heil – Investigation of In-Hospital Suicides
- Paul Goesmann - Investigation of Suicidality in the Context of Psychosocial Interventions and Social Support Following the Loss of Close Relatives
- Anne Gläsing - Long-Term Course of Depression, Suicidality and Psychosocial Care in Patients with ALS
As part of a prospective 30-month longitudinal study, the course of depression, anxiety and suicidality in patients with ALS was investigated. For this purpose, assessments were conducted every six months using standardized questionnaires on psychological and psychosocial parameters. The longitudinal data were analyzed with regard to changes in psychological symptoms and the psychosocial care situation.
Cooperation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Dresden
- Evgueny Romanov - Investigation of the Frequency and Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction, Lipid and Inflammatory Metabolism Parameters, and the Occurrence of Suicidal Behavior in Psychiatric Patients with Affective Disorders
- Susann Richter – Post-Hospitalization Suicide Prevention
Cooperation: University Hospital Dresden
- Moritz Müller - Systematic Investigation of All Suicide Cases Occurring at University Hospital Dresden with Regard to Psychopathological Parameters and Structural Aspects
Cooperation: University Hospital Dresden
- Jennifer Lettau - Analysis of Suicide Hotspots in Dresden from 2005 to 2015 with Particular Consideration of Age, Gender, Pre-existing Conditions and Method of Suicide
- Johannes Horn – Investigation of the Clinical Management of Lithium Intoxication
- Kilian Pooch - Transgenerational Trauma as a Blind Spot in Suicide Prevention: A Qualitative Comparison to Establish the Basis for Social-Ethical Intervention Obligations in Germany and South Korea
This Master's thesis undertakes an exploratory qualitative comparison between Germany and South Korea, as both countries have experienced tragic wars, national divisions and major systemic upheavals. The central research question is to what extent transgenerational trauma is underrepresented in national suicide prevention strategies and whether there is a social-ethical necessity for an obligation to intervene. The data will be analyzed using Mayring's qualitative content analysis. The social-ethical distinction between collective guilt and collective burden is crucial due to the differing historical contexts, despite universal psychological mechanisms.
Cooperation: Prof. Mandry
- Maike Leuschner - Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior and Suicide Attempts in Prison: A Mixed-Methods Study on Impulse Development and Triggers among Incarcerated Individuals and the Sensitivity of Institutional Risk Assessment
Cooperation: Regina Wiedemann
- Anton Jacobshagen - Suicidality in Nursing Homes among Individuals Aged 65 and Older
Cooperation: Klinikum am Weissenhof
- Alexandros Argyropoulos – Persistent Suicidality in Patients with Early Developmental Disturbances
Cooperation: LWL-Klinik-Hemer and Tobias Teismann
- Pauline Thüsing - Suicidality in Patients with Brain Tumors
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate psychological distress, anxiety, depression, suicidality and resilience in patients with brain tumors at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden. The levels of these factors will be compared with population reference values immediately after diagnosis, and changes over a period of six months will be examined. In addition, the study investigates differences between malignant and benign brain tumors, as well as the effect of accompanying patients through regular telephone contacts during the study period.
Publications
Full list: ResearchGate, Orcid. Selected Publications:
Frank MD, Heuschild B, Abdelhafiz O, Lewitzka U, Braun J, Braun D, Petrowski K (2024) Air Rescue Missions for Suicide: A Retrospective Analysis of a 12-Year Period from a German Rescue Helicopter Base. Air Med J.43(6):535-543.
Wiest IC, Verhees FG, Ferber D, Zhu J, Bauer M, Lewitzka U, Pfennig A, Mikolas P, Kather JN (2024) Detection of suicidality from medical text using privacy-preserving large language models. Br J Psychiatry. 225(6):532-537.
König K, Grosselli L, Reisch T, Glasow N, Wolfersdorf M, Wurst FM, Lewitzka U (2024) An Analysis of 398 In-Hospital Suicides. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 121(14):473-474.
Grosselli L, Knappe S, Baumgärtel J, Lewitzka U, Hoyer J. (2024) Addressing help-seeking, stigma and risk factors for suicidality in secondary schools: short-term and mid-term effects of the HEYLiFE suicide prevention program in a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 24(1):113.
Lüke R, Gerlach AL, Gysin-Maillart A, Lewitzka U, Teismann T (2023) Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung infolge eines Suizidversuchs - eine Pilotstudie“ Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie 52. 10.1026/1616-3443/a000718.
Media
Social Media
Press
Kontraste 16.07.2026
Hat die DGHS gegen ihre eigenen Regeln verstoßen? | rbb
Frankfurter Rundschau 19.06.2026
Spiegel 03.05.2026
FAZ 22.01.2026
Apotheken Umschau 03.02.2026
FAZ 07.09.2025
Podcastfolge bei “Die Boss” 13.05.2025
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zvDfGaQigIWnDdFvf0mvx
ZDF 24.03.2025
Totgeschwiegen: Warum Suizid uns alle angeht. Mit Leon Windscheid
Cooperations
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Jon Genuneit, Institut für Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen
International Group for the Study of Lithium Treated Patients
R-Link Initiative: Response TO LITHIUM NETWORK
Universitätsklinikum Carl-Gustav Carus, Dresden, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie
Werner-Felber-Institut e. V. Dresden