Study examines universal child screening for suicide risk

A study in the August issue of the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, detailed the development and implementation of a hospital-wide program to identify teens at elevated risk for suicide and to connect them with services. The study authors concluded “early involvement of stakeholders and hospital leaders and a robust response plan were essential to successful implementation of the suicide-screening program.” The federal 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed 17.2% of U.S. high school students had seriously considered suicide in the past year, and nearly half of those students reported making a suicide attempt. (Joint Commission news release, 7/27/21)