REVIEWS  CONTROVERSIES IN PEDIATRICS IN 2010 - PART I 

Minerva Pediatrica 2010 October;62(5):507-35

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Suicide prevention among youths. Systematic review of available evidence-based interventions and implications for Italy

Pompili M. ^{1, 2}, Innamorati M. ³, Vichi M. ⁴, Masocco M. ⁴, Vanacore N. ⁴, Lester D. ⁵, Serafini G. ¹, Dominici G. ¹, Girardi P. ¹, De Leo D. ⁶, Tatarelli R. ¹ ✉

¹ Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant’Andrea Hospital, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; ² McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; ³ Università Europea di Roma, Rome, Italy; ⁴ Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion (CNESPS), National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy; ⁵ The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, NJ, USA

Suicide completion is a leading cause of death for children, adolescents, and young adults. There is evidence that the suicide rate for those aged 15 to 24 years has tripled since 1950, and suicide is now the second or third leading cause of death in this age group. Recent studies indicate that the incidence of suicide attempts among adolescents may exceed 10% annually. The role of caregivers and schools (as well as colleges and universities) is important in the assessment, management, and prevention of suicidal behaviour in children and youth. Recognition of risk factors for suicide is of paramount importance for prevention. Furthermore, a number of educational programs have demonstrated possible key roles in implementing suicide prevention strategies. As suicide is a problem of concern among Italian youths, this paper overviews current official statistical evidence of the phenomenon and suggests a national suicide prevention strategy based on a number of tools already involved in this field, especially in the USA.