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Indian Academy of Pediatrics Consensus Guidelines on Prevention and Management of Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents

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Abstract

Justification

Suicide is an important cause of adolescent mortality and morbidity in India. As pediatricians are often the first point of contact for adolescents and their families in the healthcare system, they need guidelines to screen, assess, manage and prevent adolescent suicidal behavior to ensure survival, health and mental well-being of this vulnerable population.

Objectives

To formulate guidelines to aid pediatricians for prevention and management of adolescent suicidal behavior.

Process

Indian Academy of Pediatrics, in association with Adolescent Health Academy, formed a multidisciplinary committee of subject experts in June, 2019 to formulate guidelines for adolescent suicide prevention and management. After a review of current scientific literature and preparation of draft guidelines, a national consultative meeting was organized on 16 August, 2019 for detailed discussions and deliberations. This was followed by refining of draft guidelines, and discussions over e-mail where suggestions were incorporated and the final document was approved.

Guidelines

Pediatricians should screen for mental distress, mental disorders and suicidal and para-suicidal (non-suicidal self-injury) behavior during adolescent health visits. Those with suicidal behavior should be referred to a psychiatrist after providing emergency healthcare, risk assessment, immediate counselling and formulation of a safety plan. Pediatricians should partner with the community and policymakers for primary and secondary prevention of adolescent suicide.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bengaluru Adolescent Care and Counselling Centre, 528 2nd Block Raja**agar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560010, India

    Preeti M. Galagali

  2. Department of Pediatrics, St John’s Medical College Hospital and St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Chitra Dinakar

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Kaizen Mind Care, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Poongodi Bala

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Dheeraj Shah & Piyush Gupta

  5. Department of Pediatrics, MS Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Chandrika Rao

  6. Department of Pediatrics, Sri Ramachandra Medial College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Latha Ravichandran

  7. Department of Pediatrics, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

    Amitha Rao Aroor

  8. President, Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Mumbai, India

    Digant Shastri

  9. Honorary Secretary-General, Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Mumbai, India

    R Ramesh Kumar

  10. Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

    Paul Russell

  11. NIMS-SPECTRUM-Child Development Research Center, NIMS Medicity, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

    MKC Nair

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  1. Preeti M. Galagali
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  2. Chitra Dinakar
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Correspondence to Preeti M. Galagali.

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Galagali, P.M., Dinakar, C., Bala, P. et al. Indian Academy of Pediatrics Consensus Guidelines on Prevention and Management of Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents. Indian Pediatr 59, 553–562 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-022-2558-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-022-2558-6

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