Emergency Care Follow-Up for Children and Adolescents With Suicide Attempts or Ideation


 Death by suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people in Canada. Because 10% to 15% seen hospital emergency departments a attempt will repeat within 12 months following their discharge, it important identify what interventions are effective preventing further self-harm during this time.
 Active follow-up care an department visit common; however, unclear type (e.g., text message, home visit) or timing 24 hours, 72 hours after discharge) most younger than 18 years. The objective review summarize evidence regarding clinical effectiveness active contact and interventions, duration care, children adolescents (younger years) who present attempts ideations.
 For presenting ideation, telephone-based initiated 1 week discharge may not affect number completed full course postdischarge treatment, mean sessions attended, deaths. This finding was based on from 2 systematic reviews, each with primary study relevant report. small sample sizes these studies (N = 64 N 97) limited quality should be considered when interpreting results.
 None reviews reported mental health outcomes depression, social functioning) harms intervention.
 No were found that evaluated other methods different time durations ideations met our criteria review.
 evidence-based guidelines identified provided recommendations about timing, modality, which professionals involved Guidance documents adults generally recommend occur 48 particularly those safety concerns subsequent self-harm. These guidance also suggest modalities time, including telephone calls, visits, electronic communication. Given higher risk potential vulnerability experienced absence formal guidelines, person-centred all considered, similar high concerns.