Early Identification of Youth at Risk for Suicidal Behavior
Patterns of Identification and Referrals From Three Community Behavioral Health Centers in Georgia
Abstract
Abstract.Background: Early identification and appropriate referral services are priorities to prevent suicide. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe patterns of identification and referrals among three behavioral health centers and determine whether youth demographic factors and type of training received by providers were associated with identification and referral patterns. Method: The Early Identification Referral Forms were used to gather the data of interest among 820 youth aged 10–24 years who were screened for suicide risk (females = 53.8%). Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were conducted to examine significant associations. Results: Significant associations between gender, race, and age and screening positive for suicide were found. Age and race were significantly associated with different patterns of referrals and/or services received by youths. For providers, being trained in Counseling on Access to Lethal Means was positively associated with number of referrals to inpatient services. Limitations: The correlational nature of the study and lack of information about suicide risk and comorbidity of psychiatric symptoms limit the implications of the findings. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of considering demographic factors when identifying and referring youth at risk to ensure standard yet culturally appropriate procedures to prevent suicide.
References
(2014). National pathways for suicide prevention and health services research. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 47, S222–S228. 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.05.038
(2005). Georgia mental health gap analysis. Georgia's Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council. Retrieved from http://www.gahsc.org/nm/pp/2007/pp2004mentalhealthgapanalysis.pdf
(2010). Identification of suicide risk among rural youth: Implications for the use of HEADSS. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 24, 152–167. 10.1016/j.pedhc.2009.03.003
(2011). A practical, evidence-based approach for means-restriction counseling with suicidal patients. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42, 339–346. 10.1037/a0025051
. (2013). High school YRBS: Georgia 2013. Retrieved from https://nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline/App/Results.aspx?LID=GA
. (2016). Web-based injury statistics query and reporting system (WISQARS). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html
. (2015). Georgia state facts sheet, 2015. Retrieved from https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/sites/childrenssafetynetwork.org/files/Georgia%202015%20State%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
(2014). Developmental trajectories of African American adolescents' family conflict: Differences in mental health problems in young adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 50, 1226–1232. 10.1037/a0035199
(2016). Motivational interviewing to enhance adolescent mental health treatment engagement: A randomized clinical trial. Psychological Medicine, 46, 1961–1969. 10.1017/S0033291716000568
(2013). Differences in risk factors for suicide attempts among 9th and 11th grade youth: A longitudinal perspective. The Journal of School Nursing, 29, 113–122. 10.1177/1059840512461010
. (2016). Georgia Medicaid Access Monitoring Review Plan (AMRP). Retrieved from https://dch.georgia.gov/sites/dch.georgia.gov/files/AMRP-Draft-Two-Updated-8.17.2016.pdf
(2010). The Garrett Lee Smith memorial suicide prevention program. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 40, 245–256. 10.1521/suli.2010.40.3.245
(2012). Promoting CARE: Including parents in youth suicide prevention. Family & Community Health: The Journal of Health Promotion & Maintenance, 35, 225–235. 10.1097/FCH.0b013e318250bcf9
(2006). Study design III: Cross-sectional studies. Evidence-Based Dentistry, 7, 24. 10.1038/sj.ebd.6400375
(2012). Adapting services to engage young adults in ICCD clubhouses. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 35, 181–188. 10.2975/35.3.2012.181.188
(2018). Profiles of culturally salient positive parenting practices among urban-Residing Black Head Start Families. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 24, 414–428. 10.1037/cdp0000164
(2014). Adolescent and young adult health in the United States in the past decade: Little improvement and young adults remain worse off than adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55, 3–16. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.04.003
(2008). Columbia-suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS). New York, NY: Columbia University Medical Center.
. (2017). QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). Spokane, WA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.qprinstitute.com/
(2014). Service use and unmet needs in youth suicide: A study of trajectories. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 59, 523–530. 10.1177/070674371405901005
(2016). Mental health service use in adolescence: Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Psychiatric Services, 67, 787–789. 10.1176/appi.ps.201400196
(2012). Referral patterns for youths identified at risk for suicide by trained gatekeepers. Crisis, 33, 113–129. 10.1027/0227-5910/a000114
(2012). Can cannabis increase the suicide risk in psychosis? A critical review. Current Pharmaceutical design, 18, 5165–5187. 10.2174/138161212802884663
(2017). Suicide risk assessment: What psychologists should know. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 48, 98–106. 10.1037/pro0000106
. (2014). National behavioral health quality framework. Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/workingforquality/samhsa-specific-plan-nqs2014.pdf
. (2016). Web-based United States Census Bureau, Quickfacts. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045216
(2014). Suicide prevention in rural communities: Perspectives from a community of practice. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 38, 109–115. 10.1037/rmh0000019
(2015). Impact of the Garrett Lee Smith youth suicide prevention program on suicide mortality. American Journal of Public Health, 105, 986–993. 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302496
