Teen Suicide Risk

Cheryl A. King, PhD, ABPP, is Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Michigan, where she serves as Director of the Youth Depression and Suicide Prevention Research Program and the Institute for Human Adjustment. She is board certified as a clinical child and adolescent psychologist. Dr. King is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and Past President of the Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers, and the American Association of Suicidology. A longtime clinical educator and public policy advocate, Dr. King has published widely on topics related to youth suicide prevention. Cynthia Ewell Foster, PhD, is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan and Director of the University Center for the Child and the Family. Dr. Ewell Foster has significant training and experience in providing evidence-based interventions for youth struggling with depression and suicide risk. She serves as a clinical educator for new mental health professionals in psychiatry, psychology, and social work. Her research interests involve community- and school-based interventions for youth at risk for depression and suicide. Kelly M. Rogalski, MD, is a pediatric psychiatrist and Medical Director of Outpatient Pediatric Psychiatry at Henry Ford Health System in southeastern Michigan, which is a Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award winner for performance excellence and innovation, notably for its work in improving depression care to reduce suicide. Her research interests include quality improvement work in behavioral health. Dr. Rogalski is also a voluntary faculty member at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

• 1. Introduction2. A Look at Overall Risk and Protective Factors 3. Screening: How We Recognize Elevated Risk 4. Suicide Risk Assessment and Risk Formulation5. Intervention Planning and Care Management6. Partnering with Parents and Schools7. Legal IssuesAppendix A. Risk Factor Checklist for Teen Suicidal Behavior and Suicide Appendix B. Tracking Form for School-Based ScreeningAppendix C. Suicide Prevention Resources for Schools (Guidelines and Education/Awareness Programs)Appendix D. Questions to Ask about Current Suicidal ThoughtsAppendix E. Teen Suicide Risk Assessment WorksheetAppendix F. Documentation of Teen Suicide Risk AssessmentAppendix G. SAFE-T CardAppendix H. Safety Plan FormAppendix I. Suicide Warning Signs for ParentsAppendix J. Tips for Communicating with TeensAppendix K. Useful WebsitesAppendix L. Evidence-Based Youth Suicide InterventionsAppendix M. Sample Letter to Formally Request School Services

An extremely readable book that offers detailed, practical advice. Designed for the practitioner, this book's recommendations are evidence based and are the culmination of many years of clinical experience. King has distinguished herself in the area of applied clinical research in adolescent suicidal behavior; the book reflects her and her coauthors' dedication to this field. Noteworthy features include key clinical points, sample dialogues, and reproducible assessment sheets that will ensure easy uptake of the most practical and important information. Another highlight is the clear description of how to implement a thorough safety plan. The authors spell out how their principles and practices can be applied in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, primary care, and the schools.--Anthony Spirito, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityThis concise and well-organized volume provides very useful information in an easy-to-read, easy-to-access format. The authors emphasize the importance of paying attention to culture and present clinical approaches based on the best available research. Recognizing that many of us care for adolescents in settings where resources are extremely limited, they suggest practical ways professionals can make a critical difference in a young person’s life while taking steps to manage their own liability. The book also offers innovative ideas to ensure that suicidal youth become partners in their own care. This book is a terrific asset for clinicians.--David A. Litts, OD, national suicide prevention leaderLet's be honest--working with teenagers who evidence suicidal behavior raises the anxiety of any therapist, seasoned or not. King, Ewell Foster, and Rogalski are uniquely qualified to offer workable and effective strategies for practitioners. These experts provide sound guidance for each stage of the process, from assessing risk and managing safety plans to engaging support systems and providing the teen with realistic coping strategies. At last, we have a well-written and comprehensive resource that is a 'must have' for all therapists.--Anne Marie Albano, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and Director, Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders -Cheryl King, Cynthia Foster, and Kelly Rogalski offer a remarkably efficient and effective guide to screening, assessment, and clinical management of teen suicide risk, one that has a solid and reassuring empirical foundation. Regardless of your breadth and depth of clinical experience, regardless of how many times you may have been down this road, you will find Teen Suicide Risk: A Practitioner Guide to Screening, Assessment, and Management invaluable. This is a book every clinician should keep within arm's reach. This book offers that rare blend of a solid empirical foundation and clinical application consistent with the goal of any clinical science. Readers will find it not only reassuring as clinicians but also highly effective for their patients. This book not only reflects the pace of change in clinical practice with suicidal patients, but it does so with easy-to-understand models for risk formulation and clinical care. King, Foster, and Rogalski have taken us on an important journey and have proven to be highly capable guides.--PsyCRITIQUES, 6/30/2014ƒƒThe authors are experienced clinicians who have conducted research into various aspects of teen suicide risk, provided training on evidence-based interventions, and served as educators for mental health providers….This is an easily readable, comprehensive resource that provides guidance to mental and medical health care providers, school counselors, social workers, and anyone working with the child and adolescent population.--Journal of Child and Family Studies, 1/1/2015ƒƒWhile concise, this is an information-filled book which meets the authors' goals of providing a utilitarian clinical resource and guide to use with this very challenging and frequently encountered teen population. While meant for clinicians, the book could clearly be utilized in any graduate mental health program as a part of any ongoing supervision programming or training in delivery of clinical, empirically informed treatments. The book is well-referenced, clearly written, and full of helpful information.--Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 6/26/2014ƒƒTeen Suicide Risk…is an effective tool to combat a growing problem in today's youth….Readers interested in this aspect of adolescence will highly regard this guide, as it provides many examples of how to safely identify and intervene in suicidal behavior. Although its designated audience is a professional, anyone could learn a great deal about suicidal behavior management from reading it….The book also is important in the manner it brings attention to all aspects of suicidal behavior including the methods of assistance after the initial intervention….Given the state of the art, this guide is an invaluable tool in the fight against teen suicide and should be required reading for social workers, pediatricians, and any counselor who works with adolescents.--Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1/1/2014