Developing an educational workshop on teen depression and suicide: a proactive community intervention

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Mental Health Services

Background:

• Youth suicide is a significant public health concern requiring effective intervention strategies.
• Existing emergency services collaborations can be enhanced with proactive clinical and prevention models.
• The Youth Emergency Services (YES) collaboration has operated for eight years, leading to a developed model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive Youth Emergency Services (YES) model.
• To highlight the model's proactive approach to clinical and prevention strategies for youth suicide.
• To demonstrate the model's capacity to meet primary and secondary intervention needs for young individuals and families.

Main Methods:

• Implementing workshop training for school and community professionals on identifying at-risk youth.
• Providing suicide prevention education for adolescents and parents, covering risk factors and interventions.
• Establishing partnerships with local hotlines and primary care providers for streamlined screening and referral processes.
• Utilizing a website for disseminating information about services and resources.

Main Results:

• The YES model integrates direct service provision with proactive strategies.
• The model facilitates early identification of youth at risk for suicidal behaviors.
• Community-wide screening and referral pathways are enhanced through collaborations.

Conclusions:

• The developed Youth Emergency Services model offers a contemporary approach to youth suicide prevention and intervention.
• The model effectively addresses primary and secondary intervention needs for children, adolescents, and their families.
• Proactive strategies, professional training, and community partnerships are key components of the YES model.