The first step in preventing suicide is to ask

Abstract

Adolescent suicide is a significant public health problem, representing the second leading cause of death in youth 10-21 years of age. Further, a national survey revealed that 8% of 9th to 12th grade students reported attempting suicide within the past year (MMWR 2014;63:1-168). Suicide can be preventable, but in order for prevention strategies to be successful, it is imperative to identify high-risk teens. However, opportunities to screen adolescents for risk of suicide within the medical system are frequently missed. Ross et al performed a qualitative-methods study to determine the opinions of medically ill adolescent inpatients regarding suicide risk screening. The majority of the patients (83%) were supportive of nurses screening inpatients for suicide risk. The major salient themes that emerged from those supportive of screening were: the potential of suicide prevention, elevated risk of hospitalized patients, emotional benefit to being asked, provider responsibility, and lack of harm in asking. Despite the concerning prevalence of adolescent suicide, the authors found that 62% of their cohort reported that they never had been asked about suicide in any setting. This finding is concerning, yet one that is relatively easy to change. The report by Ross et al provides data that, overall, adolescents support screening for suicidal thoughts. In order to affect change in the rate of teen suicide, it is critically important to first identify the population at risk.Article page 295▶ Adolescent suicide is a significant public health problem, representing the second leading cause of death in youth 10-21 years of age. Further, a national survey revealed that 8% of 9th to 12th grade students reported attempting suicide within the past year (MMWR 2014;63:1-168). Suicide can be preventable, but in order for prevention strategies to be successful, it is imperative to identify high-risk teens. However, opportunities to screen adolescents for risk of suicide within the medical system are frequently missed. Ross et al performed a qualitative-methods study to determine the opinions of medically ill adolescent inpatients regarding suicide risk screening. The majority of the patients (83%) were supportive of nurses screening inpatients for suicide risk. The major salient themes that emerged from those supportive of screening were: the potential of suicide prevention, elevated risk of hospitalized patients, emotional benefit to being asked, provider responsibility, and lack of harm in asking. Despite the concerning prevalence of adolescent suicide, the authors found that 62% of their cohort reported that they never had been asked about suicide in any setting. This finding is concerning, yet one that is relatively easy to change. The report by Ross et al provides data that, overall, adolescents support screening for suicidal thoughts. In order to affect change in the rate of teen suicide, it is critically important to first identify the population at risk. Article page 295▶ To Ask or Not to Ask? Opinions of Pediatric Medical Inpatients about Suicide Risk Screening in the HospitalThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 170PreviewTo describe opinions about suicide risk screening in a pediatric medical inpatient sample. Full-Text PDF