Focused Suicide Prevention Strategy for Youth

A Focused Suicide Prevention Strategy for Youth Presenting to the Emergency Department With Suicide Related Behaviour: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluates whether a Family-centered suicide prevention strategy, when added to usual care (F-SPS + UC), is more effective than enhanced usual care (EUC) in reducing suicide-related behaviors in 128 youth at high-risk of suicide. Half of the participants will be randomized to receive F-SPS + UC and half will receive EUC.

This is a RCT of a patient- and family-centered suicide prevention intervention added to usual care (F-SPS + UC) for adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who present to the Emergency Department (ED) with suicidal ideation or suicide risk behaviours. The investigators will determine whether the F-SPS + UC intervention is more effective than enhanced usual care (EUC) in reducing suicide-related behaviors in 128 youth at high-risk of suicide.

F-SPS is a 6-week, standardized, manualized outpatient program that teaches participants to the skills to manage suicidal thoughts and impulses effectively. The family component addresses conflictual relationships that may be present in the family as well as improving family communication.

Enhanced usual care consists of 6 weekly telephone calls to ensure that the participant has connected with community resources suggested by the ED team and provide additional resources as needed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 12 to18 years
• Youth presenting in the Emergency Department with acute suicidal ideation or suicide risk behaviour
• SIQ-Jr score ≥ 31
• Parent or caregiver able to communicate in English, or is willing to communicate using a hospital-organized translator, and willing to participate in study
• Living in the greater Toronto area and access to a telephone.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active psychosis or hypomania/mania
• Moderate to severe intellectual disability, autism.