Undertones and Overtones: Understanding the Vital Data, Information and Resources for Preventing Pediatric Suicide

Course Description:

This activity will address the importance of screening and awareness of youth suicide risk. Education will also focus on current suicide guidelines, communication approaches and safety plans.

Statement of Need:

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, youth suicide is a serious public health problem, responsible for more deaths among youths ages 10 to 24 years than any single major medical illness. While rare in children younger than 10 years, suicide death rates increase markedly during adolescence and young adulthood. Pediatric suicide rates have increased significantly in the U.S., nearly tripling between 2007 and 2017 among children ages 10 to 14 years.

Non-fatal suicide attempts are more common, particularly in adolescents and young adults where some estimates have suggested there are roughly 100-200 suicide attempts for every suicide death. National surveillance data suggest that roughly 7-8% of adolescents attempt suicide each year, and roughly 17% report serious suicidal ideation. Roughly 157,000 individuals between the ages of 10 and 24 receive emergency medical care for intentional self-inflicted injuries.

Non-Suicidal Self-Injuries (NSSI), like cutting and burning oneself with no suicidal intent, is more common than suicide attempts, estimated to occur in roughly 17-18% of adolescents. While NSSI is often described as an effort to relieve distress, NSSI has been found to predict suicide attempts, a predictor of later death by suicide.

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Objectives:

• Discuss data related to pediatric suicide
• Define pediatric suicide ideology
• Discuss misconceptions associated with suicidal behavior
• Provide resources for managing miscommunication and increasing screening

Disclosure: The following planners disclose that they have no relevant relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients:

Miranda Mosley
Rachel Crouch
Pat Purcell, M.D.