Improving Hospitals’ Support For Teens In Mental Health Crises

Science Friday

This conversation discusses suicide and suicidal ideation in young people. Please take care while listening. If you or a loved one is thinking about suicide or self-harm, text TALK to 741-741 or call 9-8-8 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 24. One in five high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023, according to the latest data from the CDC.

Doctors, researchers, and mental health professionals have been looking for solutions to support our country’s struggling youth. One place to start is in hospital emergency departments.

How can emergency departments be better equipped to help struggling teens, and potentially save lives?

Guest host Anna Rothschild is joined by Dr. Samaa Kemal, an emergency medicine physician at the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to discuss her research on the subject.

The following resources are available if you or someone close to you is in need of mental health support:

• Call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Or text TALK to 741-741.
• Call 1-800-662-HELP for the SAMHSA National Helpline; they can provide referral and information services for mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment.
• Locate additional resources through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Transcript for this segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

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