NCJ Number
199693
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2003 Pages: 386-405
Editor(s)
Mina K. Dulcan M.D.
Date Published
April 2003
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article provides a comprehensive review of the past decade of research on youth suicide with preference directed to the risk for suicide and prevention/intervention studies.
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of the risk for suicide and how to prevent and treat suicide are critical to clinicians dealing with mental health problems of children and adolescents. This article evaluates and reviews the research over the past 10 years contributing to this understanding. A systematic search of PsycINFO and Medicine was conducted prior to a review of the research literature on youth suicide. The search for school-based suicide prevention programs was expanded using two education databases: ERIC and Education Full Text. The review of literature focused on epidemiology, risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatment protocols. The review underscored youth psychiatric disorder, a family history of suicide and psychopathology, stressful life events, and access to firearms as key risk factors for youth suicide. Several hopeful empirically based prevention strategies were identified and included: school-based skills training for students, screening for at-risk youths, education of primary care physicians, media education, and lethal-means restriction. However, before effectiveness can be established, these preventative strategies need continued evaluation. No one prevention/intervention strategy, by itself, is sufficient to combat youth suicide. Rather, a comprehensive, integrated effort, involving multiple domains is the headed in right direction. References