Prediction of Suicide Attempts and Suicide-Related Events Among Adolescents Seen in Emergency Departments

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Abstract
The rates of suicidal ideation (SI), suicide attempts (SAs), and suicide have increased among adolescents over the past 15 years, with a sharp increase among Black and Hispanic youths.1-4 There is a growing consensus that screening patients seen in emergency departments (EDs) for suicidal risk is an important component of adolescent suicide prevention.5 One-fifth of youths visit an ED at least annually.6 Patients presenting to the ED are more likely than the general population to be at risk for suicide; suicide decedents aged 10 to 24 years were nearly 7 times more likely than living controls to have visited an ED within 30 days prior to their death.7 A significant proportion of youths seen in pediatric ED settings for physical symptoms have positive screening results for suicide risk.8,9 Moreover, there has been an increase in presentations to pediatric EDs for adolescent suicidal behavior that has accelerated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.1,10,11 The last clinical contact for a substantial proportion of patients with SAs and for decedents is an ED visit.7,12,13 Screening in ED settings may also help to address racial disparities in suicidal behavior and access to care.2,3,14

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