Section Updates

Announcement

Congratulations to Dr. Gregory P. Conners, MD, MPH, FACEP, FAAP, for being awarded the prestigious American Academy of Pediatrics Section on EM’s Jim Seidel Distinguished Service Award. He serves as the Chair of Pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY.

New Publication Alert

Check out the article, "Youth Suicide Prevention in the Emergency Department: Lethal Means Counseling 101" by B Ketabchi et al. in the April 2025 of the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Youth suicide rates are alarmingly high, making it a leading cause of death among young people. Emergency Departments (EDs) play a crucial role in suicide prevention, as they often serve as the first point of contact for many children. Statistics reveal that 1 in 5 high school students have seriously considered suicide, with 1 in 10 attempting it in the past year. Many of these attempts are impulsive, occurring within an hour of the decision.

Racial and ethnic disparities exacerbate the issue, with Black and Hispanic youth facing delays in mental health diagnoses and limited access to services. Lethal means counseling, an evidence-based strategy, involves educating families on reducing access to dangerous items like firearms and medications. This approach has proven effective in improving safe storage practices and reducing suicide risks.

For successful implementation, ED staff need proper training and resources, such as gun lock and digital decision aids. Families generally respond positively to lethal means counseling, finding it valuable for preventing suicide. Future efforts should focus on expanding training, improving evidence quality, addressing disparities, and advocating for policy changes to prioritize suicide prevention.

References

1. Ketabchi B, Chaudhary S, Cieslak K, Das K, Foster AA, Haasz M, Hoffmann JA, Hueschen L, Lehto E, Mehta SD, Patel SJ, Pomerantz WJ, Pulcini CD, Stankovic C, Stewart A, Sudanagunta S, Ugalde IT, Fleegler E, Duffy S. Youth Suicide Prevention in the Emergency Department: Lethal Means Counseling 101. Ann Emerg Med. 2025 Apr 17:S0196-0644(25)00116-7. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2025.02.021. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40249353.