24-Hour warning signs for adolescent suicide attempts.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about when youth may be at greatest risk for attempting suicide, which is critically important information for the parents, caregivers, and professionals who care for youth at risk. This study used adolescent and parent reports, and a case-crossover, within-subject design to identify 24-hour warning signs (WS) for suicide attempts. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 1094, ages 13 to 18) with one or more suicide risk factors were enrolled and invited to complete bi-weekly, 8-10 item text message surveys for 18 months. Adolescents who reported a suicide attempt (survey item) were invited to participate in an interview regarding their thoughts, feelings/emotions, and behaviors/events during the 24-hours prior to their attempt (case period) and a prior 24-hour period (control period). Their parents participated in an interview regarding the adolescents' behaviors/events during these same periods. Adolescent or adolescent and parent interviews were completed for 105 adolescents (81.9% female; 66.7% White, 19.0% Black, 14.3% other). RESULTS: Both parent and adolescent reports of suicidal communications and withdrawal from social and other activities differentiated case and control periods. Adolescent reports also identified feelings (self-hate, emotional pain, rush of feelings, lower levels of rage toward others), cognitions (suicidal rumination, perceived burdensomeness, anger/hostility), and serious conflict with parents as WS in multi-variable models. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified 24-hour WS in the domains of cognitions, feelings, and behaviors/events, providing an evidence base for the dissemination of information about signs of proximal risk for adolescent suicide attempts.

Acceptability and feasibility of video-based firearm safety education in a Colorado emergency department for caregivers of adolescents in firearm-owning households.

BACKGROUND: Easy firearm access increases injury risk among adolescents. We evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of improving knowledge of a 3 min safe firearm storage education video in the paediatric emergency department. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre block trial in a large paediatric emergency department (August 2020-2022). Participants were caregivers of adolescents (10-17 years) in firearm-owning households. First block participants (control) completed a baseline survey about child safety behaviours (including firearms). Second block participants (intervention) completed a baseline survey, watched the safe firearm storage video and evaluated acceptability. Participants completed a 3-month follow-up survey about firearm safety behaviours and knowledge recall. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between the intervention and control groups using Fisher's exact and χ2 tests. McNemar's test was used to compare firearm storage behaviours at the initial and 3-month visit within each group. RESULTS: Research staff approached 1264 caregivers; 371 consented to participate (29.4%) and 144 (38.8%) endorsed firearm ownership. There were 95 participants in the control group and 62 in the intervention group. Follow-up was lower in the intervention group (53.7% vs 37.1%, p=0.04). Among participants viewing the video, 80.3% liked the video and 50.0% felt they learnt something new from the video. CONCLUSIONS: Video-based firearm education in a paediatric emergency department is acceptable among a population of caregivers of adolescents with household firearms. This is a higher-risk group that may uniquely benefit from consistent education in the paediatric emergency department. Further study with larger populations is needed to evaluate intervention effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05168878).

Lifetime non-fatal overdose experiences among at-risk adolescents and young adults in the emergency department with past-year opioid use in the USA.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults with risk factors for opioid misuse and opioid use disorder are at elevated risk for overdose. We examined prior non-fatal overdose experiences among at-risk adolescents/young adults to inform prevention efforts. METHODS: Adolescents/young adults (ages 16-30) in two US emergency departments self-reporting past year opioid misuse or opioid use plus a misuse risk factor completed a baseline survey as part of an ongoing randomised controlled trial. We describe baseline factors associated with (a) overall non-fatal overdose experiences and (b) groups based on substance(s) used during the worst overdose experience. RESULTS: Among 771 participants (27.9% male), 40.7% reported a non-fatal overdose experience. Compared with those without a prior overdose experience, those with prior overdose experience(s) were less likely to be heterosexual, and more likely to report a prior suicide attempt and greater peer substance misuse. Regarding the worst overdose experience, substance(s) included: 36.6% alcohol only, 28.0% alcohol and cannabis, 22.6% alcohol with other substance(s) and 12.7% other substance(s) only (eg, opioids). Compared with the alcohol only group, the alcohol and cannabis group were younger and less likely to be heterosexual; the alcohol with other substance(s) group were older and had greater peer substance misuse; and the other substance(s) only group were more likely to be male, receive public assistance, screen positive for anxiety and less likely to be heterosexual. CONCLUSIONS: Among at-risk adolescents/young adults, findings support the need for tailored overdose prevention efforts based on substance(s) used, with consideration of sexuality, mental health and peer substance use. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04550715.

A Prospective Examination of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Given the large and complex array of suicide risk factors, theoretical frameworks are critical to furthering our understanding of risk. This study prospectively examined several key constructs of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior (IPTS) in a large, geographically diverse sample of U.S. adolescents. METHOD: Conducted in collaboration with the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network, adolescents, ages 12 to 17, were recruited from emergency departments. Baseline and 6-month follow-up samples were comprised of 6,448 (59% female sex) and 2,009 (64% female sex) adolescents, with self-identified race/ethnicity as follows (baseline/follow-up): White (52%/54%), Black (22%/23%), Multiracial (6%/6%), American Indian (3%/3%), other/unknown race (15%/14%), and Latinx (25%/23%). Youth and parents completed adolescent suicide risk surveys at baseline and 6-month follow-up (retention, 69%). Latent class analysis was used to identify classes of painful and provocative events (PPE), considered a precursor to acquired capability. RESULTS: In keeping with IPTS tenets, thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), and the interaction between TB and PB were each significant predictors of suicidal ideation at baseline and follow-up. However, only PB and PPE were significant predictors of cross-sectional suicide attempts and only TB and PPE were significant predictors of prospective suicide attempts in models that adjusted for baseline suicidal ideation. The three-way interaction among PB, TB and PPE was nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this large-scale prospective study suggest the importance of TB, PB, and PPE to our understanding of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among adolescents, pointing to promising prevention and intervention targets.

Firearm Safe Storage in Rural Families: Community Perspectives About Ownership and Safety Messaging.

Firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of death among youth in the United States, and rates of firearm-related suicide in rural youth are more than double those in urban youth. Although safe firearm storage has been shown to reduce firearm injuries, little is known about how to culturally tailor such interventions for rural families in the United States. Informed by community-based participatory methods, focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted to design a safe storage prevention strategy for rural families. Participants included a broad array of community stakeholders (n = 40; 60% male, 40% female; age 15-72, M = 36.9, SD = 18.9) who were asked to identify acceptable messengers, message content, and delivery mechanisms that were perceived as respectful to the strengths of rural culture. Independent coders analyzed qualitative data using an open coding technique. Emerging themes included (1) community norms, values, and beliefs about firearms; (2) reasons for ownership; (3) firearm safety; (4) storage practices; (5) barriers to safe storage; and (6) suggested intervention components. Firearms were described as a "way of life" and family tradition in rural areas. Owning firearms for hunting and protection influenced family storage decisions. Intervention strategies that use respected firearm experts as messengers, refer to locally derived data, and that reflect community pride in firearm safety and responsible ownership may improve the acceptability of prevention messages in rural areas.

Social connectedness and adolescent suicide risk.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence of the importance of interpersonal connectedness to our understanding of suicide risk, relatively little research has examined the protective and buffering effects of connectedness among adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine: (a) whether overall connectedness (composite of family, peer, and school) and specific domains of connectedness were related to a lower likelihood of suicide attempts, and (b) whether these factors buffer the prospective risk of suicide attempt for high-risk subgroups (i.e., recent suicidal ideation and/or lifetime history of suicide attempt, peer victimization, or sexual and gender minority status). METHODS: Participants were 2,897 adolescents (64.7% biological female), ages 12 to 17 (M = 14.6, SD = 1.6), recruited in collaboration with the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) from 14 emergency departments for the Emergency Department Screen for Teens at Risk for Suicide Study (ED-STARS). Suicide risk and protective factors were assessed at baseline; 3- and 6-month follow-ups were completed (79.5% retention). Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted, adjusting for established suicide risk factors. RESULTS: Higher overall connectedness and, specifically, school connectedness were associated with decreased likelihood of a suicide attempt across 6 months. Overall connectedness and connectedness domains did not function as buffers for future suicide attempts among certain high-risk subgroups. The protective effect of overall connectedness was lower for youth with recent suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt history than for those without this history. Similarly, overall connectedness was protective for youth without peer victimization but not those with this history. Regarding specific domains, family connectedness was protective for youth without recent suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt history and peer connectedness was protective for youth without peer victimization but not youth with these histories. CONCLUSIONS: In this large and geographically diverse sample, overall and school connectedness were related prospectively to lower likelihood of suicide attempts, and connectedness was more protective for youth not in certain high-risk subgroups. Results inform preventive efforts aimed at improving youth connectedness and reducing suicide risk.

Behavioral health services in Urban American Indian Health Programs: Results from six site visits.

This study explores behavioral health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) at six Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs). Interviews and focus groups with clinicians and staff inquired about behavioral health treatment available, service needs, client population, and financial and staffing challenges. Resulting site profiles were created based on focused coding and integrative memoing of site visit field notes and respondent transcripts. These six UIHPs evidenced diversity across multiple facets of service delivery even as they were united in their missions to provide accessible and effective behavioral health treatment to urban AIAN clients. Primary challenges to service provision included heterogenous client populations, low insurance coverage, limited provider knowledge, lack of resources, and incorporation of traditional healing. Collaborative research with UIHPs harbors the potential to recognize challenges, identify solutions, and share best practices across this crucial network of health care sites for improving urban AIAN well-being.

National trends in non-fatal suicidal behaviors among adults in the USA from 2009 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: The age-adjusted rate of suicide death in the USA has increased significantly since 2000 and little is known about national trends in non-fatal suicidal behaviors (ideation, plan, and attempt) among adults and their associated sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. This study examined trends in non-fatal suicidal behaviors among adults in the USA. METHODS: Data were obtained from adults 18-65 years of age who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), including mental health assessment, from 2009 to 2017 (n = 335 359). Examinations of data involved trend analysis methods with the use of logistic regressions and interaction terms. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation showed fluctuation from 2009 to 2017, whereas suicide plan and attempt showed significantly positive linear trends with the odds increasing by an average of 3% and 4%, respectively. Suicide plan increased the most for females and adults ages 18-34, and attempt increased the most for adults with drug dependence. Both plan and attempt increased the most among adults who either had mental illness but were not in treatment or had no mental illness. CONCLUSIONS: Given attempted suicide is the strongest known risk factor for suicide death, reducing non-fatal suicidal behaviors including attempt are important public health and clinical goals. The interactional findings of age, sex, mental health status, and drug dependence point toward the importance of tailoring prevention efforts to various sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Understanding adolescent responses to differently worded suicide attempt questions: results from a large US pediatric sample.

BACKGROUND: Clinical assessments are a primary method for ascertaining suicide risk, yet the language used across measures is inconsistent. The implications of these discrepancies for adolescent responding are unknown, which is troubling as multiple research areas (i.e. on culture, mental health language, and suicide communication) indicate individuals from varying sociodemographic backgrounds may communicate differently regarding mental health concerns. The aims of the current study are to investigate whether a geographically diverse sample of adolescents respond differently to directly and indirectly phrased suicide attempt questions (i.e. directly phrased includes the term 'suicide' and indirectly asks about suicidal behavior without using 'suicide'), and to examine whether sociodemographic factors and history of mental health service usage relate to endorsement differences. METHODS: Participants were N = 5909 adolescents drawn from the Emergency Department Screening for Teens at Risk for Suicide multi-site study. The lifetime suicide attempt was assessed with two items from an adapted version of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS; Posner et al., 2008): (1) a directly phrased question asking about 'suicide attempts' and (2) an indirectly phrased question providing the definition of an attempt. RESULTS: An adolescent majority (83.7%) consistently reported no lifetime suicide attempt across items, 10.1% consistently reported one or more lifetime attempts across items, and 6.2% of adolescents responded discordantly to the items. CONCLUSIONS: Multivariable models indicated multiple demographic and mental health service variables significantly predicted discordant responding, with a notable finding being that father/stepfather education level at or below high school education predicted endorsing only the direct question.

Suicidality and Alcohol Use as Predictors of Future Suicidal Behavior in College Students.

AIMS: There has been a marked increase in suicide fatalities among college-age students in recent years. Moreover, heavy alcohol use, a well-known risk factor for suicide, is present on most campuses. Yet, no prospective studies have examined alcohol use patterns among college students as predictors of suicidal behaviors. METHODS: Online of 40,335 students at four universities took place at the beginning of four academic years, 2015-2018. Of these, 2296 met criteria for an increased risk of suicidal behavior and completed 1- and/or 6-month follow-up evaluation(s). Baseline assessments included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to quantify alcohol consumption and resulting problems, and measures of depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. RESULTS: Suicide attempts during follow-up were reported by 35 (1.5%) of high-risk students. Regression analyses indicated that baseline severity of alcohol use consequences, but not amount of alcohol consumption, was associated with greater odds of a follow-up suicide attempt after controlling for baseline suicidal ideation, functional impairment and history of suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Among college students at elevated risk for suicide, the severity of alcohol-related consequences was a significant predictor of future suicide attempts. Alcohol consumption was not a significant predictor, suggesting that the amount students drink is less of a concern for suicidal behavior than are the problems (e.g. failing to meet expectations, experiencing blackouts) associated with drinking.

Predicting the severity of peer victimization and bullying perpetration among youth with interpersonal problems: A 6-month prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Peer victimization is prevalent and associated with adverse outcomes. In this prospective study of youth who self-reported interpersonal problems, we examined school connectedness, school behavioral difficulties, academic difficulties, and internalizing problems (social anxiety, self-esteem, depression) as predictors of peer victimization and bullying perpetration severity. We also examined the moderating effects of gender. METHODS: Participants were 218 youth (66.5% female), ages 12-15 years (M = 13.5, SD = 1.1), who screened positive for peer victimization, bullying perpetration, and/or low social connectedness using self-report measures. Youth were recruited from an emergency department in the United States as part of an intervention trial. Youth identified primarily as African American (53.7%) and Caucasian (31.7%). Youth completed a 6-month follow-up assessment (75% retention). Separate Bayesian regression models were used to examine the effects of baseline school connectedness, school behavioral difficulties, academic difficulties, and internalizing problems on the severity of 6-month peer victimization and bullying perpetration. RESULTS: Baseline depression was positively related to both peer victimization and bullying perpetration severity. Baseline behavioral problems were positively related to bullying perpetration severity. Interactions indicated that gender moderated the relationship between school connectedness and peer victimization. CONCLUSIONS: Given the adverse outcomes linked with peer victimization and bullying perpetration, an improved understanding of factors that predict victimization and perpetration severity may be helpful in defining intervention targets.

Predictors of Parent Behavioral Engagement in Youth Suicide Discharge Recommendations: Implications for Family-Centered Crisis Interventions.

The number of youth presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) with psychiatric chief complaints has almost doubled in the last decade. With pediatric patients, ED brief interventions and discharge recommendations necessitate meaningful parental engagement to optimize youth safety and support. This study examined parent-level factors (stigmatizing attitudes, self-efficacy beliefs, distress symptoms, and illness-related stressors) in relation to parents' behavioral engagement (i.e., participation in and follow-through with best practice discharge recommendations). In this short-term prospective study, participants were 118 parent-youth (aged 11-18) dyads (57% female) recruited from a psychiatric ED. Parents' behavioral engagement was measured with parent- and youth-self report at 2-week follow-up. Parents' self-reported anxious and depressive symptoms, insomnia, stress, and stigmatizing attitudes were not related to engagement 2 weeks later. Higher parental self-efficacy beliefs were significantly associated with greater engagement in standard discharge recommendations. Implications for maximizing parent implementation of clinical recommendations during a youth suicide crisis are discussed.

Breastfeeding Infants in Women with Opioid Use Disorder.

ABSTRACT: An interprofessional approach from healthcare professionals can assist the woman with opioid use disorder (OUD) to become free of using opioids during pregnancy and beyond. These vulnerable women and their newborns need extended community support. The purpose of this article is to provide foundational information and standards that support the collaboration of community professionals in providing healthcare and treatment options for the woman with OUD to promote the family unit remaining together, support bonding, and encourage lactation/breastfeeding. Women with OUD need guidance from Christian nurses and the community as they transition to sobriety, motherhood, and breastfeeding.

Adaptive intervention for prevention of adolescent suicidal behavior after hospitalization: a pilot sequential multiple assignment randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The need for effective interventions for psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents who have varying levels of postdischarge suicide risk calls for personalized approaches, such as adaptive interventions (AIs). We conducted a nonrestricted pilot Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trial (SMART) to guide the development of an AI targeting suicide risk after hospitalization. METHODS: Adolescent inpatients (N = 80; ages 13-17; 67.5% female) were randomized in Phase 1 to a Motivational Interview-Enhanced Safety Plan (MI-SP), delivered during hospitalization, alone or in combination with postdischarge text-based support (Texts). Two weeks after discharge, participants were re-randomized in Phase 2 to added telephone booster calls or to no calls. Mechanisms of change were assessed with daily diaries for four weeks and over a 1- and 3-month follow-up. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT03838198). RESULTS: Procedures were feasible and acceptable. Mixed effects models indicate that adolescents randomized to MI-SP + Texts (Phase 1) and those randomized to booster calls (Phase 2) experienced significant improvement in daily-level mechanisms, including safety plan use, self-efficacy to refrain from suicidal action, and coping by support seeking. Those randomized to MI-SP + Texts also reported significantly higher coping self-efficacy at 1 and 3 months. Although exploratory, results were in the expected direction for MI-SP + Texts, versus MI-SP alone, in terms of lower risk of suicide attempts (Hazard ratio = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.06, 1.48) and suicidal behavior (Hazard ratio = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.10, 1.37) three months after discharge. Moreover, augmentation with booster calls did not have an overall meaningful impact on suicide attempts (Hazard ratio = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.17, 3.05) or suicidal behavior (Hazard ratio = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.23, 2.67); however, boosters benefited most those initially assigned to MI-SP + Texts. CONCLUSIONS: The current SMART was feasible and acceptable for the purpose of informing an AI for suicidal adolescents, warranting additional study. Findings also indicate that postdischarge text-based support offers a promising augmentation to safety planning delivered during hospitalization.

Saving Lives: Recognizing and Intervening with Youth at Risk for Suicide.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth in the United States. Fortunately, substantial advances have been achieved in identifying and intervening with youth at risk. In this review, we first focus on advances in proactive suicide risk screening and psychoeducation aimed at improving the recognition of suicide risk. These strategies have the potential to improve our ability to recognize and triage youth at risk who may otherwise be missed. We then review recent research on interventions for youth at risk. We consider a broad range of psychotherapeutic interventions, including crisis interventions in emergency care settings. Though empirical support remains limited for interventions targeting suicide risk in youth, effective and promising approaches continue to be identified. We highlight evidence-based screening and intervention approaches as well as challenges in these areas and recommendations for further investigation.

LET's CONNECT Community Mentorship Program for Adolescents with Peer Social Problems: A Randomized Intervention Trial.

This study examined the effectiveness of LET's CONNECT (LC), a community mentorship program based on the positive youth development model. Participants were 218 youth (66.5% girls), ages 12 to 15, who reported peer victimization, bullying perpetration, and/or low social connectedness. These youth were randomized to LC or the control group (community resource information). The LC program linked youth to community mentors who connected with youth and facilitated their involvement in social growth activities across a 16-month period. Outcomes were assessed at 6 and 16 months with self-report measures of social and community connectedness, thwarted belongingness, depression, self-esteem, and suicidal ideation and behavior. In intent-to-treat analyses, LC was associated with modest positive effects for social connectedness, self-esteem, and depression. It had no effects on suicidal ideation or behavior. Results suggest that LC has the potential to positively impact the developmental trajectories of youth dealing with the interpersonal challenges of victimization, bullying perpetration, or low social connectedness. LC implementation challenges and directions for further research are also discussed.

Evidence-Based Interventions for Youth Suicide Risk.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review and discuss recent advances in evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for youth suicide risk. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a growing body of research on the effectiveness of interventions targeting suicidal ideation and behavior among adolescents. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-Adolescent has shown effectiveness across two independent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Several other interventions have shown effectiveness in only one trial and are in need of replication. New interventions are also being developed that incorporate developments in technology and adaptive intervention designs. It is recommended that future research focus on strategies for engaging underserved youth with interventions, consider the broader needs of youth living in poverty, and further tailor interventions to subgroups with distinct risk profiles. Limited EBIs exist for preadolescents, despite evidence for an increasing rate of suicidal behavior for these youth. Several interventions for youth suicide risk are highly promising, but further investigation is necessary. EBIs that are effective for preadolescents are needed, and greater efforts to tailor interventions for distinct subgroups of youth at risk are recommended.

Telepsychotherapy with Youth at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis: Clinical Issues and Best Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Early detection and prevention of psychosis has become an international priority. Much of this work has focused on youth presenting with attenuated symptoms of psychosis-those at Clinical High Risk for psychosis (CHR)-given their elevated probability of developing the full disorder in subsequent years. Individuals at CHR may be prone to exacerbated psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent physical isolation measures, due to heightened stress sensitivity and comorbid mental health problems. Telepsychotherapy holds promise for reaching this population, especially during the current COVID-19 outbreak. However, there are limited evidence-based guidelines or interventions for use of telepsychotherapy with this population. In this paper, we review common clinical issues for individuals at CHR and how they might be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; best practices for treatment and adaptations for telepsychotherapy for individuals at CHR; and highlight real clinical issues that we are currently experiencing in a United States-based specialized CHR clinic as we conduct telepsychotherapy via videoconferencing. We conclude with questions for those in the field to contemplate, as well as potential challenges and benefits in using telepsychotherapy with individuals at CHR and their families.

Short-term change and prediction of suicidal ideation among adolescents: a daily diary study following psychiatric hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Our understanding of suicidal ideation (SI) and its risk precursors is largely informed by studies spanning over wide time intervals (weeks, months, years). Little is known about SI as it occurs in daily lives of individuals at risk for suicide, the extent to which suicidal thoughts are dynamic over short periods of time, and the degree to which theoretically informed risk factors predict near-term SI. METHODS: Thirty-four adolescents hospitalized due to last-month suicide attempt and/or last-week SI (76% female; ages 13-17) responded to daily surveys sent to their cell phones for four consecutive weeks after discharge (n = 652 observations). RESULTS: There was notable variability in day-to-day SI, with half of ideation ratings changing at least one within-person standard deviation from one day to the next. Results of mixed effects models revealed concurrent (same-day), but not short-term prospective (next-day), associations between SI (frequency, duration, urge) and well-established predictors (connectedness, burdensomeness, hopelessness). However, synergistic effects of low connectedness with either high burdensomeness or high hopelessness were reliably associated with more severe same- and next-day suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to emerging literature indicating that suicidal thoughts fluctuate considerably among individuals at risk for suicide, further extending it by focusing on adolescents in the critical posthospitalization period. Fostering high-risk adolescents' sense of connectedness to others may be an especially promising intervention target. Frequent assessment of SI and its predictors, independently and in combination, could help identify promising predictors of short-term risk and meaningful intervention targets in high-risk teens.

Predicting 3-month risk for adolescent suicide attempts among pediatric emergency department patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of adolescent suicide is rising in the United States, yet we have limited information regarding short-term prediction of suicide attempts. Our aim was to identify predictors of suicide attempts within 3-months of an emergency department (ED) visit. METHODS: Adolescents, ages 12-17, seeking health care at 13 pediatric EDs (Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network) and one Indian Health Service Hospital in the United States were consecutively recruited. Among 10,664 approached patients, 6,448 (60%) were enrolled and completed a suicide risk survey. A subset of participants (n = 2,897) was assigned to a 3-month telephone follow-up, and 2,104 participants completed this follow-up (73% retention). Our primary outcome was a suicide attempt between the ED visit and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred four adolescents (4.9%) made a suicide attempt between enrollment and 3-month follow-up. A large number of baseline predictors of suicide attempt were identified in bivariate analyses. The final multivariable model for the full sample included the presence of suicidal ideation during the past week, lifetime severity of suicidal ideation, lifetime history of suicidal behavior, and school connectedness. For the subgroup of adolescents who did not report recent suicidal ideation at baseline, the final model included only lifetime severity of suicidal ideation and social connectedness. Among males, the final model included only lifetime severity of suicidal ideation and past week suicidal ideation. For females, the final model included past week suicidal ideation, lifetime severity of suicidal ideation, number of past-year nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) incidents, and social connectedness. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the key risk factors for adolescent suicide attempts differ for subgroups of adolescents defined by sex and whether or not they report recent suicidal thoughts. Results also point to the importance of school and social connectedness as protective factors against suicide attempts.