Approach to adolescent suicide prevention.
OBJECTIVE
To provide family physicians with an approach to suicide prevention in youth.


METHODS
A literature review was performed using Ovid MEDLINE with the key words suicide, attempted suicide, and evaluation studies or program evaluation, adolescent.


RESULTS
Youth suicide might be prevented by earlier recognition and treatment of mental illness. Family physicians can and should screen for mental illness in youth; there are many diagnostic and treatment resources available to assist with this.


CONCLUSIONS
Earlier detection and treatment of mental illness are the most important ways family physicians can reduce morbidity and mortality for youth who are contemplating suicide.
Kostenuik
Marcia
M
Royal Victoria Hospital, Emergency Medicine, Barrie, ON L4M 4S2. marciek2001@hotmail.com
Ratnapalan
Mohana
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D003219:Confidentiality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention