Preliminary effects of brief school-based prevention approaches for reducing youth suicide-risk behaviors, depression, and drug involvement

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Apr-Jun 2002 by Eggert, Leona L, Thompson, Elaine A, Randell, Brooke P, Pike, Kenneth C

Conclusion

Despite limitations, the results of this study indicate several meaningful directions for prevention efforts in high schools with potential dropouts who are at risk for suicidal behaviors. Clearly, identifying suicide-risk youth, conducting therapeutic assessments, and enhancing support resources are feasible and effective approaches to reducing suicide risk and related feelings of depression, hopelessness, and anxiety (Eggert et al., 2001; Gould & Kramer, 2001). The standardized protocols tested herein are highly suited to school settings. Also noteworthy is that C-CARE and CAST have potential as cost-effective and transportable prevention approaches in schools and healthcare settings serving adolescents. The results, if sustained over time and at long-term follow-up, suggest the promise of suicide-risk assessments and skills training for reducing suicidal behaviors among high-risk youth. For schools to adopt this task, however, clear policies and resources will be needed for training and implementation.

As called for by the Surgeon General (U.S. Public Health Service, 1999, 2001), this study was a "first step" in testing youth suicide prevention programs for their efficacy. Illustrated herein was that study participants experienced immediate benefits from the suicide prevention approaches; they evidenced reductions in suicidal behaviors and the related risk factors of depression and drug involvement. Despite study limitations, the findings suggest that identifying individual youth at suicide risk, and providing them with school-based interventions, outweigh the costs of doing nothing about youth suicide-the second leading cause of death among youth 10 to 19 years of age.

Acknowledgments. Funding for this project was provided by the National Institute of Nursing Research (ROl-NR-MH034548), Leona L. Eggert [PI] and Elaine A. Thompson [Co-PI]. The authors thank the team members of the Reconnecting Youth Prevention Research Program and the youth who participated in the study. It would not have been possible without their contributions.

Author contact: eggert@u.washington.edu, with a copy to the Editor: Poster@uta.edu

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