School-Family-Hospital Communication During Youth Psychiatric Hospitalizations Due to Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

The psychiatric hospital-to-school transition is a critical process to help ensure the safety and continuation of care of adolescents experiencing suicide-related thoughts and behaviors post-hospitalization, particularly because school-based mental health services are sometimes the most affordable and accessible service for adolescents. Hospital-to-school and family-to-school bidirectional communication are consistent recommendations across transition programs, but there are few policies or administrative standards for facilitating communication between these entities. The purpose of this study was to identify school mental health professionals' (SMHP) experiences and needs for best communication with hospitals and families during the hospital-to-school transition process. This qualitative study collected information from 10 Virginia SMHPs on communication between schools, hospitals, and families during the process, and to identify barriers and facilitators to this communication. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. There were no distinct barriers or facilitators, instead there were communication needs that could facilitate communication if available and strong or could be a barrier to communication if non-existent or insufficient. These needs were organized into three themes: School-Family Communication Needs, School-Hospital Communication Needs, and Family-Hospital Communication Needs. Findings revealed several administrative needs for communication during the hospital-to-school transition process including the need to 1) establish evidence-based practice guidelines for hospital to school transition communication, 2) incorporate communication considerations when developing a training for SMHPs on supporting students in the hospital to school transition, 3) provide clear guidance on communication guidelines for SMHPs, 4) address any psychoeducation needs with families, and 5) prioritize building strong relationships between SMHPs and families, as well as SMHPs and hospitals.