Understanding Suicidality in Youths: Insights from a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service

Objectives. This study examines the clinical and psychosocial correlates of suicidality in adolescents and young adults, focusing on youths who received psychiatric consultation after a suicide attempt.

Methods. A retrospective study was conducted at the University Hospital of Perugia, involving 128 patients aged 14–35 who underwent psychiatric assessment during medical hospitalization. Data was collected for the first consultation performed after the hospital admission. Participants were divided in those referred after a suicide attempt (SA group) and those referred for other psychiatric reasons (non-SA group). Bivariate analyses were performed as appropriate to assess significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05).

Results. Most patients were females and aged over 18 years old. Youths in the SA group (n = 72; 56.3%) were significantly younger than those in the non-SA group and were less frequently employed. They also presented a higher rate of previous psychiatric hospitalizations, more frequent positive family psychiatric history, and a higher prevalence of prior suicide attempts. SA patients were more often under the care of community mental health services, while anxiety symptoms were more common in the non-SA group. Insomnia before admission was reported more frequently among SA patients.

Conclusions. These findings confirm the high prevalence of suicidality in youths. Comprehensive evaluation and integrated intervention strategies are essential to improve identification and prevention in this population.