OBJECTIVE(S): This project aims to develop and evaluate a new treatment and service delivery strategy for adolescents who attempt suicide with the ultimate objectives of reducing suicide and suicide attempt rates, as well as other negative outcomes (e.g., school drop out, poor academic performance, delinquency, substance abuse) in these youth.

METHODS: The study provides initial data on the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and benefits of a new treatment and service delivery strategy for adolescents who present to the Emergency Department (ED) with suicide attempts: Ecological Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (ECBT). ECBT expands and improves upon prior treatment approaches by offering a novel combination of four components that have shown promise in prior trials: a) a safety and crisis plan that can be followed in emergencies, b) an ecological analysis and intervention plan aimed at identifying and enhancing processes through which family and community networks can be mobilized to support adaptive behavior and decrease the risk of repeat suicide attempts, c) cognitive-behavioral interventions that focus specifically on decreasing suicidality, and d) an individualized care management strategy that links youth to needed interventions and services (e.g., medication, primary care, school services, social services), and to follow-up care at the end of treatment. Building on the resources of our current study of youth presenting to the ED with suicide attempts, we will compare outcomes among 25 adolescents enrolled in the proposed trial of ECBT and a comparison group (provided by our current study) of 100 similar youth drawn from the same EDs who are receiving usual community care.

IMPACT: Despite the potential for adolescent suicide attempts to lead to death and dysfunction, there are currently no intervention strategies with a strong evidence-base demonstrating an impact on suicide and suicide attempt prevention, although some intervention approaches have shown promise. By bringing together and further developing promising intervention approaches, we aim to develop a comprehensive, individually-tailored intervention and service delivery strategy that will meet the needs of the diverse group of adolescents who present to the ED with suicide attempts, thereby reducing injuries and deaths from suicide attempts and improving clinical and social outcomes in this high risk group of adolescents.

STATUS: Ongoing

Principal Investigator:
Joan R. Asarnow, Ph.D