An evaluation of postvention following adolescent suicide.
This study sought to evaluate postvention provided to two schools following student suicides. A risk index for suicidal behavior among exposed adolescents was devised. The index clearly differentiated high (n = 272) and low (n = 534) scorers on a range of outcome variables. While two-thirds of students attending postvention counselling had two or more putative risk factors for suicidal behavior, a further 231 uncounselled students had similar risk scores. Counselled students (n = 63) did not differ from matched controls (n = 63) at 8-month follow-up on a range of outcome variables. Measures to improve future postvention are discussed.
Hazell
P
P
Discipline of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW, Australia.
Lewin
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000092864:Suicide Prevention