Emergency department-based interventions could prevent suicide in young people.
A study looked at more than 15,000 youths with self-inflicted injury treated in emergency Departments (ED).
Researchers found around 25% were seen in the ED within 90 days before or after injury, creating opportunity for intervention, such as suicide risk screening, safety planning and linkage to services.
Around 70% of children in the study received care in general EDs, rather than EDs in children’s hospitals.
Lead author Dr Samaa Kemal said: ‘Self-inflicted injury is an important predictor of suicide risk. Our study suggests that emergency departments could have life-saving impact if they treat youth not only in the moment of crisis but intervene to extend care into the future.’
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