Teen Suicide: Prevention, Mental Health and Social Media (NA2684)
Author(s): Patsy Barnes, RN, BA
Pre-Approved for: ACM, CA BRN, CCAPP, CCLCP, CCM, CDMS, CE Broker Provider, CLCP, CMCPS, CNLCP, COHN/COHN-S, CRCC, CVE, CVRP, Delaware BON, MSCC, RNs
Credit Hours: 5
Course Format
This course is online. All course material is available online and is accessible immediately after purchase from your account homepage. Certificate of Completion is available immediately upon passing the exam.
Course Overview
Healthcare providers who work with teens know that suicide is now the third leading cause of death among adolescents, and rates continue to rise. Adolescent mental health and suicide risk remain major public health concerns, as shown in recent national surveys tracking these trends.
All healthcare providers should screen teens during initial exams, using available tools and questionnaires that are simple to administer. However, these screenings are not consistently included in routine patient visits. While every teenager should be screened, some groups face higher suicide risk based on gender and ethnicity. National prevention tools and strategies are being tested and implemented to reduce suicide rates, and medical professionals have an important role in these efforts.
Social media can also influence teen suicide risk, presenting both harms and potential benefits. Although suicide among children remains relatively uncommon, it is increasing; healthcare providers who treat pediatric patients should remain alert to the risk and screen routinely. This class examines these topics related to adolescent suicide.
Course Objectives
- Present the rising statistics of suicide in general and teen suicide in particular.
- Explain the connection between teen mental health and suicide.
- List suicidal behaviors and warning signs in adolescents.
- Describe the tools available to healthcare providers for screening of teens at risk and the follow-up discussion.
- Discuss social media, the risks and benefits to suicidal teens.
Course Outline
- Overview of Suicide
- National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
- Overview of Teen Suicide
- Parental Guide to Teen Suicide
- Healthcare Tools
- Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ Toolkit)
- Youth Outpatient Brief Suicide Safety Assessment Worksheet (BSSA)
- 2023 NSDUH Annual Report
- Mental Health and Adolescents
- Social Media and Teen Suicide
- Children and Suicide
- Overdose and Teen Suicide