The Effects of a Depression Intervention and Suicide Prevention Program in Adolescents with High Risk of Suicide

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of a depression intervention and suicide prevention program in adolescents with high risk of suicide. METHODS: This research was designed as a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest study. The participants were adolescents with high risk of suicide in mental health screening examination. A total of 40 adolescents (experimental group=21, control group=19) were sampled from C-gun, Chungbuk Province. The experimental group participated in the depression intervention and suicide prevention program for eight sessions while the control group did not participate in the program. Data were collected with a self-reporting structured questionnaire from November to December, 2008. SPSS/Win 12.0 was used for data analyses including chi-square test, t-test, and paired t-test. RESULTS: After this program, there was no statistically significant difference in depression (t=1.498, p=.142) between the two groups, but depression decreased in the experimental group. There was a statistically significant difference in suicide ideation (t=2.058, p=.047). CONCLUSION: To decrease depression and suicide ideation in adolescents with high risk of suicide, it is necessary to offer this program in a more intensive course and for a longer period. Also, family consultation programs and individual case treatment and consultation programs should be offered.