Citation

McLone SG, Kouvelis A, Mason M, Sheehan K. J. Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016; 81(4 Suppl 1 Forging New Frontiers: The 20th Annual Conference of the Injury Free): S25-S29.

Affiliation

Injury Prevention and Research Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago smclone@luriechildrens.org Injury Prevention and Research Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago akouvelis@luriechildrens.org Injury Prevention and Research Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Smith Child Health Research Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute mmason@luriechildrens.org Injury Prevention and Research Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Smith Child Health Research Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute ksheehan@luriechildrens.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TA.0000000000001175

PMID

27488480

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among Illinois residents aged 15 to 24.The Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) was developed to help prevent these deaths by providing timely, complete data. Understanding the circumstances surrounding suicide for those aged 15-24 who are not receiving mental health treatment can help others: 1) recognize signs of potential crisis, and 2) connect them to mental health treatment.

METHODS: IVDRS data were collected from five Illinois counties-Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Peoria-from 2005 to 2010. All cases with the manner suicide, ages 15 to 24, were extracted for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and percentages, and statistical differences between groups were determined using χ-analysis.

RESULTS: There were a total of 386 suicides in those aged 15-24 in IVDRS from 2005-2010. Most 15 to 19 year-olds (67%) and 20 to 24 year-olds (78%) were not receiving mental health treatment at the time of death. Among those not receiving mental health treatment, 22% and 13% of those aged 15-19 and 20-24, respectively, had disclosed their intent to commit suicide to another. One third were identified as being depressed or in a depressed mood (not necessarily a clinical diagnosis) in both age groups. One quarter in both age groups experienced a crisis (current, acute precipitating or forthcoming event) within two weeks of their suicides.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of adolescents and young adults were not in mental health treatment at the time death. Among those not in mental health treatment at the time of death, 15 to 19 year were more likely to share their suicidal intentions than 20 to 24 year olds. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV epidemiological study.

Language: en