ABSTRACT
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for adolescents 15 to 19 years old.
Pediatricians can take steps to help reduce the incidence of adolescent suicide by
screening for depression and suicidal ideation and behavior. This report updates
the previous statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is intended to
assist the pediatrician in the identification and management of the adolescent at
risk of suicide. The extent to which pediatricians provide appropriate care for
suicidal adolescents depends on their knowledge, skill, comfort with the topic, and
ready access to appropriate community resources. All teenagers with suicidal
thoughts or behaviors should know that their pleas for assistance are heard and
that pediatricians are willing to serve as advocates to help resolve the crisis.