Suicide Prevention and Intervention Strategies

STBs in preadolescent children represent a systemic rather than purely individual problem, requiring multilevel intervention strategies. Younger children experiencing prolonged ED boarding face disproportionate risk due to widespread psychiatric bed shortages. Psychiatric bed shortages particularly harm younger children through prolonged ED boarding while awaiting placement. Nationally, only 2.1% of children aged 5–11 presenting to EDs for suicidal attempts or ideation were hospitalised between 2007 and 2015.