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Suicidal adolescents: lessons to be learned from early intervention
1Département de Pédiatrie, Hopital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Adolescent suicide attempts are common, often stemming from difficult environments, not necessarily severe mental illness. Most adolescents seek help and benefit from integrated medical and family support during hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Medicine
- Public Health
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents in developed countries.
- Suicide attempts are significantly more frequent than completed suicides.
- Adolescent suicidal behaviors are sensitive, with management hindered by fear and lack of consensus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the characteristics and needs of adolescents who have attempted suicide.
- To inform appropriate management strategies for adolescent suicide attempts.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of adolescent medicine experience with several hundred adolescent suicide attempt victims.
- Clinical observation and assessment within a multidisciplinary framework.
Main Results:
- Most adolescent suicide attempters originate from troubled or abusive backgrounds.
- Many do not intend to die and are seeking assistance.
- A minority require inpatient psychiatric care; most benefit from hospitalization with comprehensive health screening.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent suicide attempts often indicate a need for help rather than severe mental illness.
- An integrated, multidisciplinary approach during hospitalization, involving the patient and family, is effective.
- Improved understanding and management are crucial for addressing adolescent suicidal behaviors.