Suicide attempts in the "Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families" Program

Objective: To compare clinical characteristics of youths who had attempted suicide recently, previously but not recently, repeatedly, or never. Method : The sample comprised 4,677 youths receiving services between 1993 to 1998 in 22 communities and participating in the national evaluation of the Comp rehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. Data on suicide attempts, demographics, and clinical characteristi cs were obtained from intake interviews and referring agencies. Chi-square and univariate analyses of variance were used for between-group comparisons . Results: Twenty-one percent of the sample had a history of attempted suic ide. Previous and repeat attempters were more likely to have a history of f amily violence and substance abuse. Repeat attempters were most likely to h ave depression, while never and previous (but not recent) attempters were m ore likely to have conduct disorder. Other clinical differences were also f ound. Conclusions: Among children receiving mental health services, those w ho attempt suicide experience more and different types of distress, dependi ng on the recency and frequency of attempts. Clinicians should be aware tha t depression is not a necessary factor in predicting suicide attempts and t hat suicide risk is also associated with violent and aggressive behaviors.