NCJ Number
116096
Date Published
1986
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The Maine Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Child and Adolescent Service system examined the phenomena of adolescent self-destructive behavior and suicide with a view to improving the State's system of child services.
Abstract
For Maine teenagers, suicide is the second leading cause of death, and over the past 10 years there have been an average of approximately 10 documented suicides yearly. Further, a survey of psychiatric emergency room admissions shows that during a typical month in 1985 there were eight admissions of children and teens for suicidal threat, gestures, or attempts and drug overdoses. Other self-injurious behaviors include drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancies, driving under the influence, running away, and involvement in vandalism and violent crime. A major problem among self-destructive and suicidal adolescents is depression, which may be exacerbated by severe stress or crisis. To deal with this problem will require a comprehensive array of services, including crisis intervention and emergency services, short- and long-term mental health interventions, and programs providing medical, educational, social, vocational, and natural supports. Prevention efforts also will require broad based participation and cooperation. This will require the development of a coordinated, cooperative, and community based system of juvenile services.