Modalities of treatment for suicidal children: an overview of the literature on current practice.

Overview

Childhood suicidal behavior is a complex symptom that requires a carefully planned treatment program that includes multiple modalities of care. These modalities combine individual, family, environmental, and psychopharmacological interventions. The therapist's personal conscious and unconscious characteristics may have a great influence on treatment outcome. A supportive patient-therapist relationship is one of the most important elements in diminishing the child's suicidal proclivities. Treatment requires a long-term approach that constantly reassesses potential for serious suicidal risk. Psychiatric hospitalization may be required to protect the child from self-inflicted harm and to allow evaluation and appropriate intervention. Psychotherapy used in conjunction with medication, when indicated, may permit the best therapeutic outcome. Finally, planning systematic studies of psychiatric treatment efficacy for suicidal children remains one of the most challenging aspects of improving prevention measures against suicidal tendencies in youngsters.