Routine Pediatric Suicide Screening: Updated Recommendations

Abstract

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among children aged 10 to 14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults in the United States. Research demonstrates that the current depression screenings are missing patients with thoughts of suicide. Given this information, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the National Institute of Mental Health released an updated recommendation for suicide risk screening in 2022. The updated recommendations for suicide risk screening are reviewed, and screening tools are provided along with a suicide screening pathway/algorithm and patient and provider resources.