Developing a Suicide Prevention Intervention for Youth with Maltreatment Histories: Challenges and Opportunities

Adolescents and emerging adults who experience child maltreatment and involvement in the child welfare system have a higher risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs; Dunn et al., 2013; Johnson et al., 2002). Selective prevention interventions, which target individuals or groups with elevated risk (Munoz et al., 1996), are critical to reduce suicide-related outcomes in youth with maltreatment exposure. This study provides preliminary qualitative data from youth providers (e.g., case workers and mental health clinicians) on challenges and opportunities for suicide prevention for youth who experience child maltreatment, in order to inform future preventive efforts. We collaborated with community organizations serving maltreated and system-involved youth (i.e., adolescents and young adults) to conduct three focus groups (N = 17) and 10 interviews (N = 10) with providers across two geographically different sites. Several themes emerged from our data regarding barriers for suicide prevention with youth with maltreatment histories, as well as opportunities and future directions for suicide prevention interventions. Research-practice partnerships can facilitate the development, implementation, acceptability, and feasibility of suicide prevention programs for youth with histories of maltreatment exposure.