Treatment for adolescents following a suicide attempt: results of a pilot trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of a skills-based treatment protocol to a supportive relationship therapy for adolescents after a suicide attempt.


METHODS
Thirty-nine adolescents (12-17 years old) and parents who presented to a general pediatric emergency department or inpatient unit of a child psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt were randomized to either a skills-based or a supportive relationship treatment condition. Follow-up assessments were conducted at intake and 3 and 6 months post-attempt.


RESULTS
In contrast to the low rates of treatment received by adolescent suicide attempters in the community, approximately 60% of this sample completed the entire treatment protocol. Significant decreases in suicidal ideation and depressed mood at 3- and 6-month follow-ups were obtained, but there were no differences between treatment groups. There were six reattempts in the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
When adolescents who attempt suicide are maintained in treatment, significant improvements in functioning can be realized for the majority of patients.
Donaldson
Deidre
D
May Institute, Norwood, MA 02063, USA. ddonaldson@mayinstitute.org
Spirito
Anthony
A
Esposito-Smythers
Christianne
C
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011340:Problem Solving; D012944:Social Support; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*