Adolescent Suicide Questions

Ann, RN a psychiatric nurse who works in a local acute care setting, is active in her community, and has her own children. Ann has noticed an increase in reported suicidal behaviors in her town and addressed her concern at a recent school board meeting. The principal of the school district’s high school was in attendance and asked Ann if she could speak to the topic of suicide at a school wellness fair to be conducted this month. Ann recognizes she has limited knowledge regarding the preponderance of suicide in teenage persons.

Develop these questions:

• What are critical stressors in the family, peer group, and community which influence adolescent suicide?
• How does the nurse provide primary prevention relative to suicide?