Improving Our Ability to Predict Who is at Risk for Suicide
Most people who attempt or die by suicide have visited a healthcare provider in the months leading up to the event; however, as clinicians, our ability to accurately predict who is at risk for suicide is poor. Using multiple sources of data, including the electronic health record, researchers at MGH hope to develop new strategies for identifying individuals at greatest risk.
Developing a Clinical Tool to Predict Suicide Risk
Clinician-researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are using big data to better identify people at risk for suicide attempts and are developing a decision-support tool for use in clinical settings.
Suicide in Children and Adolescents
According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, adolescents, and young adults age 15-to-24-year-olds. However, we know considerably less about suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents compared to adults. Given this worrisome increase in the prevalence of suicide over the last decade, the National Institute of Mental Health has identified suicide in children and adolescents as a priority for research and intervention.
Toward a Better Understanding of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Children
Although preadolescent suicide deaths are rare, suicidal thoughts and behaviors occur with concerning frequency. Male individuals were at greater risk for SITBs in preadolescence relative to adolescence. Preadolescents with ADHD, depression, and multiple psychiatric comorbidities were more likely to report suicidal ideation.
Interventions to Reduce Suicidality
While we have data to support the use of interventions which reduce depressive symptoms, we lack evidence for interventions specifically targeting suicidal and self-injurious behaviors. There has been great interest in the use of ketamine for this purpose, given its raped effects on depression and suicidal ideation. With a grant from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Dr. Cristina Cusin will study treatment with ketamine as a means of decreasing suicide risk in patients after discharge from psychiatric hospitalization.
Improving Both Mood and Anxiety: What Cariprazine Brings to the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Adjunctive cariprazine improved both depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with MDD, offering a promising strategy for treating residual anxiety that often persists despite antidepressants.
Pediatric Catatonia: Improving Recognition and Treatment Outcomes
Despite the significant morbidity associated with catatonic symptoms, catatonia remains underrecognized and understudied, especially in children.
Season’s Greetings from MGH Psychiatry News and Some Words of Wisdom for Surviving and Enjoying the Holiday Season
Sending our best wishes and strategies for managing stress and taking care of yourself from the Benson-Henry Institute of Mind Body Medicine, the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and the Family Dinner Project.
Using Machine Learning Models to Improve Clinicians’ Assessments of Suicide Risk
Machine learning models using EHR data significantly improved clinicians’ suicide risk assessments, offering more accurate predictions of future suicide attempts.
Members of MGH Department of Psychiatry Among the Most Highly Cited and Influential Researchers
These pioneers in their fields represent the most influential researchers who have published multiple papers frequently cited by their peers that rank in the top 1% of citations in their fields.
Applications Due on January 19, 2026 for the Tommy Fuss Scholars Program in Precision Psychiatry
The program will support innovative research efforts by early career investigators on projects aligned with the Center of Precision Psychiatry mission and goals, including therapeutics, big data analytics, precision treatment matching, mobile health technologies, genomics, neuroscience, and clinical trials.
Using Innovative Collaboration and Training to Improve Access to Mental Health Care in Rwanda
MGB Psychiatry faculty support the integration of mental health services into rural communities and contribute to psychiatric education for medical students and psychiatry residents.
New Wearable Patch Uses Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback to Treat Substance Use Disorder
HRV biofeedback reduces negative affect, craving, and substance use in those with SUD, offering a promising adjunctive tool for relapse prevention and self-regulation.
Jennifer Thomas, PhD: ARFID Is More Than Picky Eating—And the Condition Is on the Rise (Scientific American)
Jennifer Thomas, PhD discusses recent research on ARFID, revealing distinct risk factors and neurobiological drivers that demand tailored clinical approaches.
Integrating Culture and Care: Albert Yeung, MD ScD on Advancing Depression Treatment for Asian Americans
In Asian American patient populations, the use of culturally sensitive approaches to depression care, integrating mind-body practices and addressing barriers to mental health treatment can help to improve access to care and engagement in treatment.
