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.
For Adult Survivors of Childhood CAncer, A Targeted Intervention to Improve Health Insurance Literacy
This work highlights the importance of addressing health insurance literacy as a critical component of survivorship care for childhood cancer survivors.
New Publications from the Mass General Department of Psychiatry – May 10, 2024
From the clinicians and researchers in our department, a list of our most recent publications.
Contingency Management: An Effective Strategy for Harm Reduction in Youth Using Cannabis
This study supports the use of a contingency management intervention as a potentially viable harm reduction strategy for adolescents and young adults not yet ready to quit.
New Publications from Mass General Psychiatry – May 3, 2024
From the clinicians and researchers in our department, a list of our most recent publications.
Katherine Koh, MD, MSc on Helping People who are Homeless (Healthy Minds on PBS)
Dr. Koh discusses the challenges in providing mental health services to the homeless and what kinds of changes could make a meaningful difference.
High Rates of Anxiety and Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Preschool-Age Offspring of Parents With Bipolar Disorder
The offspring of parents with bipolar disorder had significant elevations in behavioral, mood and anxiety symptoms and disorders:
New Publications from Mass General Psychiatry – April 26, 2024
From the clinicians and researchers in our department, a list of our most recent publications.
Abigail Judge, PhD Receives the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award in Recognition of Her Service to Survivors of Sex Trafficking
FBI Director Christopher Wray along with Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, honored Dr. Judge with this award emphasizing the importance of community partnerships.
On Earth Day: Considering the Consequences of Climate Change on Mental Health
We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the work of several members of our department who are working to better understand the consequences of climate change on our mental health and how to mitigate these effects.
New Publications from Mass General Psychiatry – April 19, 2024
From the clinicians and researchers in our department, a list of our most recent publications.
