Citation

Judge B, Billick SB. Behav. Sci. Law 2004; 22(5): 681.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.615

PMID

15378595

Abstract

Adolescence is a unique developmental stage in which suicidality first emerges as a public health problem. The increasing trend of teenage suicide since the 1950s has only relented in the past ten years. The risk factors for adolescent suicide, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts and an approach to assessing the suicidal adolescent for risk of future self-harm are reviewed. Treatment consists of ensuring safety and then treating the underlying psychiatric, psychological, and interpersonal disturbances. Issues of consent, confidentiality, and malpractice actions are addressed.