Risk of suicide and self-harm in kids: the development of an algorithm to identify high-risk individuals within the children’s mental health system

Risk of suicide and self-harm in kids: the development of an algorithm to identify high-risk individuals within the children’s mental health system

Author:
Publication type: 
Journal Article
Year: 
2020
Journal/Series title: 
Child Psychiatry & Human Development
Volume number: 
51
Issue: 
6
Pages: 
913-924
ISSN/ISBN: 
0009-398X
Abstract: 

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents within Canada. While several risk factors have been found to be associated with increased risk, appropriate decision-support tools are needed to identify children who are at highest risk for suicide and self-harm. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a methodology for identifying children at heightened risk for self-harm and suicide. Ontario data based on the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health Screener (ChYMH-S) were analyzed to develop a decision-support algorithm to identify young persons at risk for suicide or self-harm. The algorithm was validated with additional data from 59 agencies and found to be a strong predictor of suicidal ideation and self-harm. The RiSsK algorithm provides a psychometrically sound decision-support tool that may be used to identify children and youth who exhibit signs and symptoms noted to increase the likelihood of suicide and self-harm.