A Systematic Review of the Literature for Suicide Prevention Interventions Initiated in Emergency Departments in the United States

Abstract

Objective: Suicide is a leading cause of death around the world. In the United States, the suicide rate continues to increase with US Emergency Departments seeing over 500,000 suicide-related visits each year. Authors conducted a systematic literature review to determine the range of interventions administered in the ED. Methods: This is the first systematic literature review of this topic. The review is limited to studies conducted in Emergency Departments located in the United States with interventions that were initiated in the ED setting. Results: Of the 2,735 titles and abstracts identified, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. A narrow range of suicide prevention interventions are administered in the ED. Conclusions: Opportunities exist for additional types of suicide prevention interventions in the ED.