Abstract
This chapter reviews the literature on evidence-based prevention and treatment of suicidality in children and adolescents. Initially, we explore the epidemiology and risk factors, since this knowledge is fundamental to successful prevention and treatment. The recent drop in adolescent suicide rates is reviewed in the light of theories relating to the increased use of SSRI medications for adolescent depression and the attempts to control pesticides in Eastern nations. The extent to which biological and genetic risk factors interact with environmental factors is considered, as well as the more recent evidence on social and psychological factors. There is still a paucity of assessment tools for evaluating suicide risk and effectiveness of prevention or treatment among children and adolescents. Primary and secondary prevention with a specific focus on school-based programmes is also reviewed, including screening, gatekeeper training, and suicide awareness educational curricula for students. These clearly need further systematic and longer-term evaluation. There are only two evidence-based therapies which are effective in the treatment of suicidal adolescents (tertiary prevention)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | International Handbook of Suicide Prevention |
| Subtitle of host publication | Research, Policy and Practice |
| Publisher | John Wiley and Sons |
| Pages | 289-307 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780470683842 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 21 Jun 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adolescent suicide, major clinical problems - cause of death in the young
- Epidemiological monitoring of suicidal behaviour - assessing effectiveness of preventative actions
- Familial transmission of suicidal behaviour
- Intervention, treatment and care-evidence-based prevention - treatment of suicidality, in children and adolescents
- Literature on evidence-based prevention and treatment - of suicidality in children and adolescents
- Non-genetic factors, and suicidal behaviour - in the young, and parent-child discord
- Risk factors for suicidal behaviour - central, planning of prevention and treatment programmes
- Suicidal ideation and behaviour definitions - vague, used imprecisely
- Understanding effective prevention - through changes in epidemiology of youth suicide
- Use of SSRI medications, for adolescent depression - controlling pesticides in Eastern nations
