Implementation of a Caregiver-Report Suicide-Risk Screener in Children Under Age 8 in a Behavioral Health Center

This project aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a caregiver-report suicide risk (STB) screening tool for children under age 8. Despite the rising rates of STBs in young children, tools for identifying at-risk individuals in this age group are limited, and significant resistance remains to screening children for STBs. Given the challenges in directly assessing young children and the lack of validated tools, the investigators developed a caregiver-report screener to detect early signs of STBs. Preliminary data indicate that this screener is both sensitive and specific, showing promise in identifying at-risk children. The proposed study will evaluate the implementation of this screener in a child behavioral health clinic, obtaining qualitative and quantitative feedback from both clinicians and caregivers to refine the screener and its integration into clinical workflows. Additionally, the investigators will assess how clinicians use the screener results in diagnostic and treatment planning. This study will provide critical insights into barriers and best practices for STB screening in young children, ultimately improving early identification and clinical care for at-risk youth.

Inclusion criteria

• licensed mental health clinician (e.g., LPC, LMSW, LCSW, MD) in the Hermann Center
• provides care to children 4-7 years of age
• provides care through the Early Child Intervention, Early Psychiatric Care, or Trauma Response program
• must be currently seeing and/or accepting new patients

Exclusion criteria

• none