Case follow-up
After interviewing the girl separately, and performing a PHQ-A and an asQ, followed by the Brief Suicide Safety Assessment to screen for acuity, the pediatrician felt confident that Cassandra was suffering from moderate depression and had moderate but not imminent risk of suicide. Options to treat her depression were discussed with Cassandra and her parents, and a referral to therapy was made.
The provider knew that depression care is complementary but not sufficient as standalone suicide prevention. The provider used the asQ pathway to determine next steps. He made a safety plan, and referred her to an outpatient mental health clinician with whom the practice had an established relationship for an urgent mental health evaluation. A follow-up primary care appointment was scheduled within 72 hours to re-check safety and ensure that she had an appointment scheduled to start therapy. A nurse contacted the patient and her family regularly to check on her wellbeing. Her parents made a plan with her volleyball coach to organize outdoor off-season conditioning to help with exercise and socializing. The family removed screens prior to bedtime and sleep improved. At a 3-month follow-up, Cassandra had only mild depressive symptoms and the frequency and intensity of her suicidal ideation had decreased.
Dr. Spottswood is a child psychiatrist practicing in an integrated care clinic at the Community Health Centers of Burlington, Vermont, a Federally Qualified Health Center. She is the medical director of the Vermont Child Psychiatry Access Program and a clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Vermont.
References
1. National Institute of Mental Health: Suicide.
2. Hottes TS et al. Am J Public Health. 2016 May;106(5):e1-12.
3. Bridge JA et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(7):697-9.
4. Asarnow JR. SAMHSA Center for Adolescent Suicide and Self-Harm..