Suicide Attempt Risk in Youths: Utility of the Harkavy–Asnis Suicide Scale for Monitoring Risk Levels

New article published in the November edition of the Journal of Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior demonstrates the value of a brief self-report measure as a screening, risk evaluation, and monitoring tool for youth suicidality. Results also underscore the significance of planning as a predictor of suicide attempt behaviors, with the presence or absence of suicide attempt planning correctly identifying 84% of youths who initiated suicide attempts. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States among youths ages 10-24 years, reducing suicide and suicide attempts in youths are two of our national health promotion and disease prevention goals, and recent national estimates indicate that over 4600 youths through age 24 die by suicide each year (www.cdc.gov). Given the magnitude of the problem, the Joint Commission has listed the identification of patients at risk for suicide as a National Patient Safety Goal (Goal 15.01.01) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001), a goal that applies to psychiatric hospitals and all patients being treated for behavioral or emotional problems in general hospitals (http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/6/NPSG_EPs_Scoring_HAP_20110706.pdf). This new research contributes to efforts to develop a comprehensive approach for screening, triage, and linkage to optimal treatments and services. Reference Asarnow, J., McArthur, D., Hughes, J., Barbery, V., & Berk, M. (2012). Suicide Attempt Risk in Youths: Utility of the Harkavy–Asnis Suicide Scale for Monitoring Risk Levels. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior.