The aftercare of adolescents with deliberate self-harm

The evaluation and aftercare of the adolescent suicide attempter is described. The assessment of suicidal risk is aimed at the identification of those factors present in the patient and environment that make repetition of suicidal behavior likely. These factors, along with the motivation and precipitant for the suicide attempt, are used to determine the intensity of care and targets of treatment. Important elements of treatment include: obtaining a no-suicide contract, addressing potential sources of noncompliance, determining proper intensity of treatment, provision of family psychoeducation addressing ongoing family difficulties, treatment of co-occurring psychopathology, and remediation of social skills and problem-solving deficits.