Variation in Functioning, Psychosocial Characteristics, and Six‐Month Outcomes Among Suicidal Youth in Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services

Abstract

In this study we compared the psychosocial (n = 7,896) and clinical (n = 4,664) characteristics and 6-month functional outcomes (n = 2,594) of suicidal and nonsuicidal youth. Repeat and previous attempters were more likely than first-time and never attempters to experience psychosocial problems and to be functionally impaired in a variety of domains. Differences in functional impairment persisted at 6 months. Among those who were not severely functionally impaired at baseline, repeat attempters were more likely to be severely impaired at 6 months. Subgroups of suicide attempters may present to treatment differently, have a different expression of problems over time, and have different treatment needs.