Suicide Prevention and Juvenile Re-Entry: Family as the Focal Point

Adolescents involved in the juvenile legal system have suicide rates three times higher than their non-involved peers, and the research-to-practice gap is evident in clinical work with these adolescents. A clinical vignette illustrates the use of a family-based program that incorporates three evidence-based clinical tools: the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Ask Suicide Questions instrument, and the Safety Planning Intervention. Family involvement in restricting lethal means was important to maintain safety during re-entry; however, this aspect of the written safety plan (e.g., “Keeping the Environment Safe”), among others, needed improvement. The case illustrates two key aspects of suicide prevention that can be overlooked in practice: lethal means restriction and social support. Research is warranted to understand the unique needs of juvenile legal system adolescents with suicidality, especially during re-entry.