This randomized trial examined the effectiveness of Teen Options for Change (TOC), an intervention for adolescents seeking medical emergency services who screen positive for suicide risk.

Materials and Methods:

Participants were 49 adolescents, ages 14 to 19, seeking services for non–psychiatric chief complaints who screened positive for suicide risk due to recent suicidal ideation/attempt and/or depression plus alcohol abuse. They were randomly assigned to TOC or enhanced treatment–as–usual. Depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation were assessed at baseline and two–month follow–up.

 Results:

Adolescents assigned to TOC showed greater reductions in depression than adolescents assigned to the comparison group (Cohen‘s d = 1.07; large effect size). Hopelessness, suicidal ideation and alcohol outcomes trended positively (nonsignificantly) with small to moderate effect sizes.

Conclusion:

TOC is a promising, brief intervention for adolescents seeking emergency services who are at risk for suicide.