The mental health crisis among adolescents is a growing concern, with suicide being the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 12 to 17 in the United States. Despite the urgency, many at-risk youths do not receive adequate mental health care following emergency department (ED) visits. A recent study titled "Effect of a Motivational Interviewing–Based Intervention on Initiation of Mental Health Treatment and Mental Health After an Emergency Department Visit Among Suicidal Adolescents" explores how motivational interviewing (MI) can play a crucial role in bridging this gap.
The Study: A Closer Look
This randomized clinical trial involved 159 adolescents aged 12 to 17 who screened positive for suicide risk during nonpsychiatric ED visits. The participants were divided into two groups: one receiving a motivational interviewing-based intervention known as Suicidal Teens Accessing Treatment After an Emergency Department Visit (STAT-ED), and the other receiving enhanced usual care (EUC).
The STAT-ED intervention included motivational interviewing to enhance family engagement, problem-solving, referral assistance, and limited case management. The study aimed to determine if STAT-ED was more effective than EUC in increasing mental health treatment initiation and reducing depression symptoms and suicidal ideation at two and six months post-discharge.
Key Findings
- No Significant Difference at Two Months: At two months post-discharge, there were no significant differences between the STAT-ED and EUC groups in terms of mental health treatment initiation or attendance.
- Improved Outcomes at Six Months: Exploratory analyses revealed that by six months, participants in the STAT-ED group had higher rates of mental health treatment initiation and attended more sessions compared to those in the EUC group.
- Demographic Variations: The study found that white, non-Hispanic adolescents in the STAT-ED group were more likely to initiate treatment within two months compared to their counterparts in the EUC group. This effect was not observed among nonwhite or Hispanic participants.
Implications for Practitioners
The findings suggest that while motivational interviewing may not have immediate effects within two months, it shows promise in improving long-term engagement with mental health services. Practitioners working with suicidal adolescents should consider integrating MI techniques to foster better treatment adherence over time.
The demographic variations observed highlight the need for culturally tailored interventions. Practitioners should explore ways to adapt MI strategies to effectively engage diverse populations, considering cultural sensitivities and barriers to accessing care.
Encouraging Further Research
This study underscores the importance of continued research into effective interventions for suicidal adolescents. Future studies should aim to identify barriers to treatment engagement and explore how motivational interviewing can be optimized for different demographic groups.
By building on these findings, practitioners can enhance their skills and contribute to developing more effective strategies for preventing adolescent suicide.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Effect of a Motivational Interviewing–Based Intervention on Initiation of Mental Health Treatment and Mental Health After an Emergency Department Visit Among Suicidal Adolescents.
