Follow-up soon after leaving hospital could help reduce suicide risk

Mental health specialists following-up in a timely fashion with those who were discharged from psychiatric wards has shown to be a way to reduce suicide risk. New research in children shows following-up within a week of discharge may be similarly helpful. Scientists looked at data from nearly 140,000 children and adolescents who are Medicaid recipients, around 57% of whom had a follow-up within a week of being discharged from a psychiatric ward. These patients had a nearly 55% lower risk of dying by suicide between 8-180 days following discharge. Twenty-two youths — most of whom were white and male — died by suicide within six months of being discharged. Black adolescents, those who were medically ill, or were older were less likely to have a mental health expert check-in with them soon after being discharged.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (Español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.