Suicidality in Youngers: an Observational Study in Outpatient Unit.

Abstract

Suicidality (meaning ideation, self-harm and attempt to suicide) are major public health problems in adolescence and represent a worldwide public health concern. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), often simply called self-injury, is the act of harming your own body on purpose, for example by cutting or burning yourself. NNSI is a common mental health threat among adolescents and it's usually not meant as a suicide attempt. Unfortunately, suicide is the second most common cause of death in young people worldwide and represents a public health problem. For this reason, we analyzed retrospective data from patients admitted in the Psychiatric Hospital from July 1^st 2023 to June 30^th 2024 to identify clinical features, risk factors of suicidality by analyzing the assessment we administered at time of hospitalization: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Ask Suicide Questionnaire (ASQ), G.T. MSRS scale. Within the 50 subjects of the sample, 30 patients attempt to suicide (60%); the large majority (90%) met the criteria for mixed state. This study shows that there is a high prevalence of mixed states in the inpatient unit admission, which is demonstrated both from the prescription of mood stabilizers, and confirmed by the diagnosis of mixed states rated with the scale. The use of structured interview with patient and families add on assessment suicide risk scale are fundamental, in order to guide a tailored psychopharmacological treatment, and improve prognosis.