title: Can receipt of a regular postcard reduce suicide-related behaviour in young help seekers? A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Suicide attempt, ideation and deliberate self-harm are common among adolescents. Limited evidence exists regarding interventions that can reduce risk; however, research indicates that maintaining contact with at-risk adults following discharge from services via letter or postcard can reduce risk. The aim of the study was to test a postcard intervention among people aged 15-24 who presented to mental health services but were not accepted, yet were at risk of suicide.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial of 3 years in duration was used. The intervention consisted of 12 postcards sent once a month for 12 months following presentation to the service. Key outcomes of interest were reduced rates of suicide attempt, suicidal ideation and deliberate self-harm, assessed at 12 and 18 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported that they liked receiving the postcard and that they used the strategies recommended. However, no significant effect of the postcard intervention was found on suicide risk, although participants in both groups improved on measures of mental health over the course of the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There remains a need for further research into youth-friendly interventions for young people at risk of suicide.
authors.affiliation: Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. jr@unimelb.edu.au.au
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Hok Pan
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gook
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cosgrave
authors.forename: Eoin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Killackey
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jorm
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGorry
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult