Citation

Gray D, Dawson KL, Grey TC, McMahon WM. Psychiatr. Serv. 2011; 62(12): 1416-1418.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.014162011

PMID

22193786

Abstract

Utah is among a group of Western Mountain states in which suicide rates among youths are consistently high. The Utah Youth Suicide Study incorporated data from every government agency in Utah, utilizing a statewide Office of the Medical Examiner. A key finding was that 63% of suicide decedents had contact with the juvenile courts. The group developed a best practices model within the juvenile court system for early mental health intervention. Significant cost savings were demonstrated. The model includes screening at-risk teenagers with the Youth Outcome Questionnaire. Treatment includes both psychiatric care and in-home behavioral intervention. Services were effectively delivered on a large scale. (Psychiatric Services 62:1416-1418, 2011).

Language: en