There is a new study by JAMA showing youth suicide is going down. Phoenix Children’s works toward that goal every day with its integrative behavioral health services, and its suicide screening program. With the mental health provider shortage, Phoenix Children’s is working urgently to care for kids with the most acute mental health needs while supporting community pediatricians. Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus has a 23-bed inpatient psychiatry unit. They also offer emergency care, a Center for Resilience and Well-being, and a homeless youth outreach program.
Dr. Carla C. Allan, the Division Chief of Psychology at Phoenix Children’s, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the strives and progress that has been done.
Dr. Allan shared what goes into the universal suicide screening at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
“So we bake it into our medical visits and universally screen kids across our entire health system, 10 and up for suicide risk. And when we find out they’re at risk, we connect them immediately before they leave the exam room to highly trained clinicians who can help,” Dr. Allan said.
These trained clinicians are also stationed in emergency rooms at the point of triage to provide life saving help to those young people who may be at risk of suicide
When it comes to asking questions to see if someone is facing risk factors, Dr. Allan says that it is important to ask directly. She also added that asking directly does not “plant the seed”, rather she says, “it’s giving people a real lifeline to hope when they are otherwise struggling”.
The Bridge Clinic is another service by the Phoenix Children’s Hospital that provides care for the youth after they receive their initial care from the emergency room.
“t’s short-term sort of care that we give to kids while we help them find a behavioral health provider in the community near to them. So far we’ve served 1,200 kids and 4,000 appointments in that way and it shows that it works. It reduces future visits to the emergency room,” Dr. Allan said.
For parents, Dr. Allan shared some of the warning signs that they can look for in their children.
“Things like your sleep really changes, you’re cut off from your friends, you’re more isolated. Those are bigger behavioral changes, I’m no longer interested in soccer though I always cared about that. Those are all warning signs including increased agitation,” Dr. Allan said.
