Disclosure of Youth Suicidality: Views from Lived Experience

Abstract

AbstractInsight from individuals with lived experience suggests that unnecessary hospitalization decreases the likelihood that individuals will disclose suicidal thoughts and behaviors to providers. To improve engagement and create better outcomes for individual who experiences a suicidal crisis, clinicians should receive suicide-specific training that emphasizes personalized care for each patient that matches their level of risk. Individualized safety planning and options other than inpatient hospitalization should be prioritized when suicidal thoughts and behaviors are disclosed to providers and when the level of risk does not warrant hospitalization. This will allow youth who make such disclosures to get access to effective and minimally restrictive interventions while preventing trauma and harm. Finally, healthcare systems must focus on investing resources and research into alternatives to inpatient care as treatment for suicidal crises, and individuals with lived experience will be an essential asset to this process.