Emergency Management of the Adolescent Suicide Attempter: a Review of the Literature

This article reviews literature on risk factors, assessment, disposition, treatment options, & noncompliance with follow-up of adolescent suicide attempters presenting to the emergency department. In addition, literature regarding staff attitudes toward suicidal patients, & on training programs for the management of suicidal youth is discussed. An assessment tool based on clinically useful & empirically validated questions is proposed. It is concluded that more rigorous studies are required to guide front line professionals caring for suicidal young people in the emergency department. (83 refs)