Adolescent Suicide in a Residential Treatment Center: A Clinical and Administrative Post-Mortem

• NCJ Number: 107631
• Author(s): D E Ponce; J P Smith
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Children's Residential Centers, New Orleans, La., October 15-17, 1987.

Annotation

Based on experience with a resident's suicide in the Salvation Army Residential Treatment Facilities for Children and Youth in Honolulu, Hawaii, this paper provides guidelines for mitigating an adverse aftermath through services for residents, staff, residents' families, and the professional and lay community, and suggests procedures for reducing the risk of legal liability.

Abstract

To reduce the likelihood of 'copy cat' suicides among residents, unit supervisors met with the residents of each unit to explain the facts of the suicide without going into motivation or analysis. This was followed by small group and individual discussions and counseling. Staff services included specific psychosocial assistance, instruction in grief work with the residents, and a psychological postmortem on the suicide by a senior clinician. Services to residents' families involved the provision of facts on the suicide and making available to them counselors, therapists, and administrators to use in any way they might choose. Inquiries from the professional and lay community were handled professionally and nondefensively, with assurance that steps were being taken to prevent a recurrence. The risk of legal liability can be reduced by developing suicide policies and procedures, comprehensive and accurate recordkeeping, an effective communication system, and physical plant monitoring. 29 references.