Psychotherapeutic interventions for suicidal adolescents

Suicidal behavior first peaks in adolescence. Approximately one third of adolescents have experienced suicidal ideation with 6-8 % suicide attempts during their lifetime. A systematic review of the scientific literature published within the last 10 years on the psychotherapeutic treatment of suicidal behavior in adolescents was carried out. Out of 514 screened manuscripts 23 articles on original studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria (published in English or German language, treatment of more than one person and patients up to 18 years of age). The studies described psychotherapeutic interventions in 2,582 individuals. Cognitive behavioral interventions as well as interventions focusing on the families of adolescents were primarily represented in the literature. Interventions to reduce suicidal behavior in adolescents are effective; however the effects are often not specific for the type of intervention selected. Good effects in terms of reduction in suicidal behavior were reported for interventions with family members, therefore suggesting that including family members in interventions for suicidal adolescents seems to be clinically meaningful.