Managing risk and self-harm: Keeping young people safe

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents globally, with insufficient mental health services.
• Youth engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) face elevated suicide risk, yet protocols for screening and response are scarce in pediatric settings.
• Cultural stigma surrounding youth self-harm presents a significant barrier to care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the management of suicide and NSSI across different cultures.
• To review current guidelines for screening at-risk youth.
• To recommend a multidisciplinary approach and improved communication for treating self-harming behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Cross-cultural analysis of suicide and NSSI management strategies.
• Summary of existing screening guidelines for suicide and NSSI.
• Exploration of telehealth and online service utilization.
• Development of recommendations for multidisciplinary care and professional communication.

Main Results:

• Significant cultural variations and persistent stigma exist in managing youth self-harm.
• Current guidelines for screening suicide and NSSI are summarized.
• Telehealth and online services offer potential avenues for care.
• A multidisciplinary approach with non-stigmatizing language is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Addressing the global adolescent mental health crisis requires culturally sensitive, multidisciplinary strategies.
• Enhanced screening, integrated care, and destigmatizing communication are vital for supporting youth at risk of self-harm.
• Future research and policy should focus on improving access to and quality of care for vulnerable youth.