Just a Ring Away: Exploring a Brief Post-Hospitalization Telephone-Based Intervention for Suicidal Behavior in...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Public Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Transitional age youth (TAY) face high suicide risk post-hospitalization.
• Few studies assess post-discharge interventions for TAY suicide prevention.
• TAY are a vulnerable demographic with elevated suicide risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine feasibility and cost-effectiveness of post-discharge phone interventions for TAY.
• Identify predictors of rehospitalization and suicide attempts in TAY.
• Tentatively assess intervention outcomes against a control group.

Main Methods:

• 389 TAY hospitalized for suicidal ideation/attempts received 3 phone contacts within 2 weeks.
• Intervention assessed suicidality and reinforced safety planning.
• Feasibility, costs, and outcome predictors were examined.

Main Results:

• 60.5% of TAY had at least one intervention contact; costs were <$60/person.
• Low confidence in safety plans predicted 90-day suicidal behavior.
• Exploratory analysis showed similar suicide attempt rates but higher rehospitalization in the intervention group.

Conclusions:

• Brief phone interventions are feasible and low-cost for TAY suicide prevention.
• Interventions can identify high-risk TAY needing tailored support.
• Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm benefits.