Suicide and Related-Behavior Among Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System

Feasibility and acceptability of a brief suicide intervention for youth involved with the family court

“…Given these data, a general consensus has been reached among clinicians and policymakers that juveniles should be screened for suicide at every contact point in the JJ system, especially at their initial intake appointments (Kemp et al., 2016; Scott, Underwood, & Lamis, 2015; Skowyra & Cocozza, 2007). At this contact point, youth are often administered a screening tool (e.g., Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument‐2; Grisso, Barnum, Fletcher, Cauffman, & Peuschold, 2001) and follow‐up questions to inquire about current SI, current/past suicide attempts, mental health issues, experience of a recent significant loss and friends’/family members’ suicidal behavior (Hayes, 2009).…”

“…At this contact point, youth are often administered a screening tool (e.g., Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument‐2; Grisso, Barnum, Fletcher, Cauffman, & Peuschold, 2001) and follow‐up questions to inquire about current SI, current/past suicide attempts, mental health issues, experience of a recent significant loss and friends’/family members’ suicidal behavior (Hayes, 2009). When a juvenile exhibits an elevated and clinically significant risk for SI, the individual receives additional screening for imminence (Scott et al., 2015) and is often transported to a local hospital and brought into an emergency department (Scott et al., 2015). However, if hospitalization is not clinically necessary, the juveniles are typically given referrals to outpatient mental health clinics, often with long wait times (Allen, Forster, Zealberg, & Currier, 2002).…”

“…Stanley and Brown (2012) outlined the key components of an effective safety planning intervention: (1) recognizing the warning signs of SI and an impending attempt, (2) teaching coping mechanisms, (3) distracting oneself from suicidal thoughts with social settings and contacts, (4) utilizing family and friends as a way to alleviate the suicidal crisis, (5) contacting mental health professionals or agencies, and (6) restricting access to lethal instruments/weapons. Safety planning is also brief in nature (Scott et al., 2015), making its use ideal in settings and systems with limited time and resources.…”

“…(2) teaching coping mechanisms, (3) distracting oneself from suicidal thoughts with social settings and contacts, (4) utilizing family and friends as a way to alleviate the suicidal crisis, (5) contacting mental health professionals or agencies, and (6) restricting access to lethal instruments/weapons. Safety planning is also brief in nature (Scott et al, 2015), making its use ideal in settings and systems with limited time and resources. When resources are limited, the responsibility of conducting brief interventions may be assigned to nonclinical staff (Christl et al, 2010;Sharp, Pineros, Hsu, Starks, & Sales, 2004).…”

Policy Trends in the South on Youth Mental Health in Juvenile Justice

“…Approximately 50% to 75% of juveniles in the justice system have some mental disorder, (Underwood, Warren, Talbott, Jackson, & Dailey, 2014). The problem of inadequate services can even manifest in cases of suicide in facilities, (Scott, Underwood, & Lamis, 2015). Given the knowledge of these wrongs, it is important to periodically assess the progress that states have made.…”