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AAP updates recommendations for management of adolescent suicide

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published updated recommendations regarding suicide risk and attempts in adolescents.

“From 1950 to 1990, the suicide rate for adolescents 15 to 19 years old increased by 300%, but from 1990 to 2013, the rate in this age group decreased by 28%,” Benjamin Shain, MD, PhD, of North Shore University Health System, and the AAP’s Committee on Adolescence, wrote. “Adolescent boys 15 to 19 years old had a completed suicide rate that was three times greater than that of their female counterparts, whereas the rate of suicide attempts was twice as high among girls than among boys, correlating to girls tending to choose less lethal methods.”

Benjamin Shain

To aid pediatricians and other child and adolescent health care professionals in identifying and managing adolescent suicide risk, researchers published a report to update the previous statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Recommendations for pediatricians include:

• Ask about mood disorders, drug and alcohol use, suicidal thoughts, bullying, sexual orientation and other risk factors associated with suicide, know the risk factors and routinely screen for depression;
• Educate yourself and patients about benefits and risks of antidepressants;
• Recognize medical and psychiatric needs of adolescents at risk for suicide and work with families and health care professionals involved in management and follow-up;
• Become familiar with local, state and national resources for suicide prevention and treatment in youth;
• Consider additional training and ongoing education in diagnosis and management of adolescent mood disorders, particularly in underserved areas; and
• Inquire about firearms in the home during routine evaluations where consistent with state law, educate parents on increased risk for adolescent suicide with the presence of firearms.

“We applaud the AAP for dedicating its resources to publishing a brave and bold report on such a critical topic. We lose too many young Americans to suicide each year. Tragically some of these deaths could have been prevented if their medical providers had screened for depression and other mental health conditions, just as they screen for physical conditions today,” Christine Moutier, MD, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said in a press release. “At AFSP, we are investing in Project 2025, a large-scale comprehensive analysis and action plan aimed at reducing the suicide rate in the U.S. — 20% by year 2025. Using a predictability model, designed by CALIBRE Systems, AFSP has found a series of actions which could have the greatest impact and save the most lives — one of these areas is the need for suicide prevention training of our health care providers.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.