Il ruolo del pediatra nella prevenzione del suicidio in adolescenza

Abstract

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Italy in young people between the ages of 15 and 29. Mental health problems are increasing among children and adolescents. Very often paediatricians have to manage young patients with psychiatric problems who express their psychopathology in new ways and they may feel unprepared in this respect. This article describes the phenomenon of suicide and suicidality in adolescence with particular attention to risk and protective factors. Approaches to suicide prevention are reviewed focusing on the role that the paediatrician can play in the chain of prevention (e.g. by educating the family to be attentive to possible mental health problems, reducing stigma of mental illness and identifying youth at high risk with timely referral to specialised services for further evaluation and treatment). Indeed, the scientific literature suggests that talking to adolescents about suicide in a health assessment context does not increase the risk of suicide but, in contrast, can be protective as it allows young people to verbalize and share their sufferings thus facilitating their access to appropriate help.