Adolescent suicide and the pediatrician

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Adolescent suicidal behavior is a growing concern nationally and locally.
• Current pediatrician practices may not adequately address this issue.
• Suicidal adolescents often utilize alternative resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the management of adolescent suicidal behavior in pediatric practices.
• To assess pediatrician screening habits for suicidal ideation.
• To explore the potential impact of pediatrician inquiry on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of adolescent suicidal behavior management in 48 pediatric practices.
• Analysis of pediatrician practices in Rochester and Syracuse, New York.
• Examination of resource utilization by suicidal adolescents.

Main Results:

• Few pediatricians routinely inquire about suicidal thoughts.
• Suicidal adolescents heavily rely on alternative resources.
• Low fatality rates may reinforce current, potentially inadequate, practices.

Conclusions:

• Pediatrician avoidance of the topic may lead to underutilization of mental health support.
• Routine screening for suicidal thoughts could increase patient contact.
• Proactive inquiry is hypothesized to improve outcomes for suicidal adolescents.