Suicide Prevention in Juvenile Facilities

• NCJ Number: 186271
• Journal: Juvenile Justice Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: 04/2000 Pages: 24-32
• Author(s): Lindsay M. Hayes
• Editor(s): Eileen M. Garry
• Date Published: April 2000
• Length: 9 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: See NCJ 178256 for complete journal

Annotation

Youth suicide is recognized as a serious public health problem. Suicide in juvenile detention and confinement facilities was reported to be more than four times greater than youth suicide overall.

Abstract

This article addresses the prevention of juvenile suicide while in custody. Several risk factors were identified as possible factors involved in suicide among youth confined in juvenile facilities: mental health disorders; substance abuse; impulsivity and instability; family discord and abuse; depression and decreased social connection; and disciplinary problems. Suicide prevention practices are discussed using four specific assessment criteria: written procedures; intake screening; staff training; and close observation. A significant conclusion drawn is youth suicide within juvenile facilities has not received comparable attention to youth suicide overall lending to the extent and nature of these deaths remaining unknown.