The Emergency Department: Challenges and Opportunities for Suicide Prevention

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2017.05.002

. 2017 Oct;26(4):771-783.

doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.05.002.

The Emergency Department: Challenges and Opportunities for Suicide Prevention

Joan Rosenbaum Asarnow¹, Kalina Babeva², Elizabeth Horstmann²

Affiliations

¹ David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 3310, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: jasarnow@mednet.ucla.edu.
² David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 3310, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

PMID: 28916013
PMCID: PMC6768433
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.05.002

The Emergency Department: Challenges and Opportunities for Suicide Prevention

Joan Rosenbaum Asarnow et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2017 Oct.

. 2017 Oct;26(4):771-783.

doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.05.002.

Authors

Joan Rosenbaum Asarnow¹, Kalina Babeva², Elizabeth Horstmann²

Affiliations

¹ David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 3310, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: jasarnow@mednet.ucla.edu.
² David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 3310, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

PMID: 28916013
PMCID: PMC6768433
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.05.002

Abstract

Emergency departments (EDs) can offer life-saving suicide prevention care. This article focuses on the ED and emergency services as service delivery sites for suicide prevention. Characteristics of EDs, models of emergency care, ED screening and brief intervention models, and practice guidelines and parameters are reviewed. A care process model for youths at risk for suicide and self-harm is presented, with guidance for clinicians based on the scientific evidence. Strengthening emergency infrastructure and integrating effective suicide prevention strategies derived from scientific research are critical for advancing suicide prevention objectives.

Keywords: Adolescent; Emergency; Guideline; Hospital; Integrated care; Pediatric; Self-harm; Suicide.

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Figures

**Figure 1.**
Care process model for youths presenting with suicide and self-harm risk. *Courtesy of* J. Asarnow, PhD, Los Angeles, CA.

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References

1. Curtin SC, Warner M, Hedegaard H. Increase in suicide in the United States, 1999-2014. NCHS data brief. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db241.htm Published 2016. Accessed April 7, 2017. - PubMed
1. Larkin GL, Beautrais AL. Emergency departments are underutilized sites for suicide prevention. Crisis. 2010;31(1):1–6. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000001. - DOI - PubMed
1. Wilson KM, Klein JD. Adolescents who use the emergency department as their usual source of care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154(4):361–365. doi:10.1001/archpedi.154.4.361. - DOI - PubMed
1. Gairin I, House A, Owens D. Attendance at the accident and emergency department in the year before suicide: Retrospective study. Br J Psychiatry. 2003;183(JULY):28–33. doi:10.1192/bjp.183.1.28. - DOI - PubMed
1. Dolan MA, Fein JA, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Pediatric and adolescent mental health emergencies in the emergency medical services system. Pediatrics. 2011. ;127(5):e1356–e1366. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0522. - DOI - PubMed

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[1] Curtin SC, Warner M, Hedegaard H. Increase in suicide in the United States, 1999-2014. NCHS data brief. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db241.htm Published 2016. Accessed April 7, 2017. - PubMed

[2] Curtin SC, Warner M, Hedegaard H. Increase in suicide in the United States, 1999-2014. NCHS data brief. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db241.htm Published 2016. Accessed April 7, 2017. - PubMed

[3] Larkin GL, Beautrais AL. Emergency departments are underutilized sites for suicide prevention. Crisis. 2010;31(1):1–6. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000001. - DOI - PubMed

[4] Larkin GL, Beautrais AL. Emergency departments are underutilized sites for suicide prevention. Crisis. 2010;31(1):1–6. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000001. - DOI - PubMed

[5] Wilson KM, Klein JD. Adolescents who use the emergency department as their usual source of care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154(4):361–365. doi:10.1001/archpedi.154.4.361. - DOI - PubMed

[6] Wilson KM, Klein JD. Adolescents who use the emergency department as their usual source of care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154(4):361–365. doi:10.1001/archpedi.154.4.361. - DOI - PubMed

[7] Gairin I, House A, Owens D. Attendance at the accident and emergency department in the year before suicide: Retrospective study. Br J Psychiatry. 2003;183(JULY):28–33. doi:10.1192/bjp.183.1.28. - DOI - PubMed

[8] Gairin I, House A, Owens D. Attendance at the accident and emergency department in the year before suicide: Retrospective study. Br J Psychiatry. 2003;183(JULY):28–33. doi:10.1192/bjp.183.1.28. - DOI - PubMed

[9] Dolan MA, Fein JA, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Pediatric and adolescent mental health emergencies in the emergency medical services system. Pediatrics. 2011. ;127(5):e1356–e1366. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0522. - DOI - PubMed

[10] Dolan MA, Fein JA, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Pediatric and adolescent mental health emergencies in the emergency medical services system. Pediatrics. 2011. ;127(5):e1356–e1366. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0522. - DOI - PubMed

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The Emergency Department: Challenges and Opportunities for Suicide Prevention

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The Emergency Department: Challenges and Opportunities for Suicide Prevention

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