What to do when the diagnosis is a suicide attempt? Multiprofessional treatment for pediatric patients

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the profile of patients treated in a pediatric unit after a suicide attempt (SA). Methods Conducted retrospectively, data from medical records of patients aged 8 to 18 admitted via the pediatric emergency unit after a SA during the period of July 2018 to April 2023 were analyzed. Data on sociodemographic traits, SA characteristics (e.g., method, nature), psychosocial and familial background, and hospitalization details (e.g., care outcomes) were analyzed. Results A total of 87 patients were treated after SA, predominantly female (92%) with an average age of 14.05 years (SD=3.96). Medication overdose/poisoning was the most common method (87%), with 57% of attempts described as impulsive. Notably, 41% had prior suicide attempts, and 62% exhibited self-harming behavior history. Most patients (67%) had a history of psychological/psychiatric treatment, and in 28% of cases, a parent had a psychiatric diagnosis. Additionally, 11% had a family history of suicide. Patients had an averaged stay of 6.12 days in the hospital, with 82% of patients discharged with recommendations for ongoing mental health care and 15% transferred to psychiatric facilities. Conclusion The study underscores the pressing need for public health policies and investments in mental health care for children and adolescents across all healthcare settings and levels of complexity.