Tsafrir Greenberg

Bio: Tsafrir Greenberg is an academic researcher from Columbia University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Poison control & Suicide prevention. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 4 publications receiving 1774 citations.

Youth suicide risk and preventive interventions: A review of the past 10 years.

Abstract: Objective To review critically the past 10 years of research on youth suicide. Method Research literature on youth suicide was reviewed following a systematic search of PsycINFO and Medline. The search for school-based suicide prevention programs was expanded using two education databases: ERIC and Education Full Text. Finally, manual reviews of articles' reference lists identified additional studies. The review focuses on epidemiology, risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatment protocols. Results There has been a dramatic decrease in the youth suicide rate during the past decade. Although a number of factors have been posited for the decline, one of the more plausible ones appears to be the increase in antidepressants being prescribed for adolescents during this period. Youth psychiatric disorder, a family history of suicide and psychopathology, stressful life events, and access to firearms are key risk factors for youth suicide. Exciting new findings have emerged on the biology of suicide in adults, but, while encouraging, these are yet to be replicated in youths. Promising prevention strategies, including school-based skills training for students, screening for at-risk youths, education of primary care physicians, media education, and lethal-means restriction, need continuing evaluation studies. Dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and treatment with antidepressants have been identified as promising treatments but have not yet been tested in a randomized clinical trial of youth suicide. Conclusions While tremendous strides have been made in our understanding of who is at risk for suicide, it is incumbent upon future research efforts to focus on the development and evaluation of empirically based suicide prevention and treatment protocols.

Relationship Between Antidepressant Medication Treatment and Suicide in Adolescents

Abstract: Context A decade of increasing antidepressant medication treatment for adolescents and corresponding declines in suicide rates raise the possibility that antidepressants have helped prevent youth suicide. Objective To evaluate the relationship between regional changes in antidepressant medication treatment and suicide in adolescents from 1990 to 2000. Design Analysis of prescription data from the nation's largest pharmacy benefit management organization, national suicide mortality files, regional sociodemographic data from the 1990 and 2000 US Census, and regional data on physicians per capita. Participants Youth aged 10 to 19 years who filled a prescription for antidepressant medication and same-aged completed suicides from 588 three-digit ZIP code regions in the United States. Main Outcome Measures The relationship between regional change in antidepressant medication treatment and suicide rate stratified by sex, age group, regional median income, and regional racial composition. Results There was a significant adjusted negative relationship between regional change in antidepressant medication treatment and suicide during the study period. A 1% increase in adolescent use of antidepressants was associated with a decrease of 0.23 suicide per 100 000 adolescents per year (β= −.023, t = −5.14, P t =−3.81, P t = −3.43, P t = −3.73, P Conclusions An inverse relationship between regional change in use of antidepressants and suicide raises the possibility of a role for using antidepressant treatment in youth suicide prevention efforts, especially for males, older adolescents, and adolescents who reside in lower-income regions.

Emergency treatment of young people following deliberate self-harm

Abstract: Objective To examine national patterns in the emergency department assessment and treatment during visits by young people, aged 7 to 24 years, who are seen following an episode of deliberate self-harm. Method An analysis was conducted of a nationally representative sample of hospital emergency department visits from the 1997-2002 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey focusing on visits by persons aged 7 to 24 years related to deliberate self-harm. National census data were used to derive population-based rates of emergency department visits for deliberate self-harm overall and stratified by sex, age, race, and ethnicity. Demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of the visits are presented including comparisons of visits that resulted in an inpatient admission with those that resulted in discharge to the community. Results Among young people aged 7 to 24 years, the annual rate of emergency visits with self-harm was 225.3 per 100 000. A mental disorder was diagnosed in 56.0% of these visits including depressive disorders in 15.1% and substance use disorders in 7.3%. Approximately one half of the visits (56.1%) resulted in an inpatient admission. As compared with visits resulting in discharge to the community, emergency department visits that resulted in inpatient admission were significantly more likely to result in the patients receiving a mental disorder diagnosis (63.8% vs 45.7%; P = .03), especially a depressive disorder (22.5% vs 5.8%; P = .005), and receiving psychotropic medications (18.0% vs 4.7%; P = .007), intravenous fluids (39.2% vs 22.3%; P = .02), gastric lavage (24.1% vs 9.8%; P = .02), and a specific antidote for poisoning (12.2% vs 1.3%; P = .02). Conclusions Mental disorders are diagnosed in roughly one half of emergency department visits by young people following an episode of deliberate self-harm. Systematic mental health assessments in the emergency department of young people following an episode of deliberate self-harm may improve detection of mental disorders.

Teenagers' attitudes about seeking help from telephone crisis services (hotlines)

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes toward the use of telephone crisis services (hotlines) among 519 adolescents in 9th through 12th grade mandatory health courses in six high schools in New York State. Few adolescents (2.1%) used hotlines and negative attitudes were stronger toward hotlines than they were toward other formal sources of help. The most common reasons for hotline nonuse related to feelings of self-reliance and shame. Objections to hotlines were strongest among students most in need of help by virtue of impaired functioning or feelings of hopelessness. The results underscore needed outreach efforts to youth.

Suicide prevention strategies: a systematic review.

Abstract: ContextIn 2002, an estimated 877 000 lives were lost worldwide through suicide. Some developed nations have implemented national suicide prevention plans. Although these plans generally propose multiple interventions, their effectiveness is rarely evaluated.ObjectivesTo examine evidence for the effectiveness of specific suicide-preventive interventions and to make recommendations for future prevention programs and research.Data Sources and Study SelectionRelevant publications were identified via electronic searches of MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and PsychINFO databases using multiple search terms related to suicide prevention. Studies, published between 1966 and June 2005, included those that evaluated preventative interventions in major domains; education and awareness for the general public and for professionals; screening tools for at-risk individuals; treatment of psychiatric disorders; restricting access to lethal means; and responsible media reporting of suicide.Data ExtractionData were extracted on primary outcomes of interest: suicidal behavior (completion, attempt, ideation), intermediary or secondary outcomes (treatment seeking, identification of at-risk individuals, antidepressant prescription/use rates, referrals), or both. Experts from 15 countries reviewed all studies. Included articles were those that reported on completed and attempted suicide and suicidal ideation; or, where applicable, intermediate outcomes, including help-seeking behavior, identification of at-risk individuals, entry into treatment, and antidepressant prescription rates. We included 3 major types of studies for which the research question was clearly defined: systematic reviews and meta-analyses (n = 10); quantitative studies, either randomized controlled trials (n = 18) or cohort studies (n = 24); and ecological, or population- based studies (n = 41). Heterogeneity of study populations and methodology did not permit formal meta-analysis; thus, a narrative synthesis is presented.Data SynthesisEducation of physicians and restricting access to lethal means were found to prevent suicide. Other methods including public education, screening programs, and media education need more testing.ConclusionsPhysician education in depression recognition and treatment and restricting access to lethal methods reduce suicide rates. Other interventions need more evidence of efficacy. Ascertaining which components of suicide prevention programs are effective in reducing rates of suicide and suicide attempt is essential in order to optimize use of limited resources.