Comparative Effectiveness of Ultra-Brief, IPT-A Based Crisis Intervention for Suicidal Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Background

In recent years, suicidal thoughts and behaviors have become increasingly common among children and adolescents, leading to an elevation in the number of visits to emergency departments in pediatric hospitals. In Israel, the rising demand for mental health treatment due to suicidal distress is also salient, creating prolonged wait periods and low case acceptance rates. Addressing the urgent need for streamlined interventions, the present study outlines the design and results of a non-inferiority effectiveness trial of an ultra-brief suicide crisis intervention based on Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A-SCI).

Methods

309 children and adolescents presenting to the Depression and Suicide Clinic at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel with depressive and anxiety symptoms and/or suicidal ideation/behavior were assigned to either IPT-A-SCI, Treatment as Usual (TAU), or waitlist condition. Assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention/after five sessions/five weeks (as secondary assessments) in accordance with group assignment.

Results

At secondary assessment, post IPT-A-SCI, suicide ideation, and behavior as well as depression and anxiety symptoms significantly decreased, with no group differences observed between IPT-A-SCI, TAU, and control groups.

Conclusion

IPT-A-SCI is feasible and as effective as the standard treatment in reducing suicidal, depressive, and anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• children
• crisis
• intervention
• suicide ideation

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Yedidut Toronto Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Ella Adini-Spigelman

Ella Adini-Spigelman and Yari Gvion Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.

Yari Gvion

Ella Adini-Spigelman and Yari Gvion Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.

Liat Haruvi Catalan

Liat Haruvi Catalan, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.

Shira Barzilay

Shira Barzilay, Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Alan Apter

Alan Apter, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Anat Brunstein Klomek

Anat Brunstein Klomek, School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel.