Teenage suicide is of great public health concern because it is considered one of the top three causes of death among the adolescents and young adults (Centers for Disease Control cited in Dour, Cha & Nock, 2011). Nordentoft (2011) describes a universal approach that can be used to prevent suicide attempts. In addition, there is a need to identify predictive signs of a suicide attempt and help the individual access care that can thwart his or her suicide mission. The evidence-based practice model developed by the nurses and faculty at The John Hopkins Hospital and its affiliate University School of Nursing aims to appraise evidence, which is vital in guiding change. EBP is important in the decision making process of any healthcare organization aimed at solving problems. This EBP decision making process is founded on the best available scientific evidence using the best available experiential evidence on a patient, or by a practitioner (Newhouse, Dearholt, Poe, Pugh & White, 2007). Therefore, it is an excellent approach for nurses to adopt when facilitating change within the healthcare fraternity.
Guided by PICOT elements, this paper aims at using the evidence-based practice model to understand teenage suicide, and develop a suitable intervention. The population being evaluated is the teenage group. The intervention of choice includes health talks that will initiate discussion and sharing between the facilitator and participants; hence a small number of participants will be enrolled per each talk. A similar problem that sometimes leads to suicide is self-harm. Outcomes will include increased knowledge and better stress management strategies. This activity will run for three-and-a-half months. This is an etiological question which seeks to understand the causes of teenage suicide. Suicide is not common before 15 years of age.
Teenage suicide is the second most common reason for death among the young population all over the world. Teenage suicide robs young individuals of their fulfilling life. Hawton, Saunders & O’Connor (2012) indicate that around 164 000 deaths inflicted by self are reported worldwide, each year, among persons less than 25years. Causes of teenage suicide are preventable; hence, it impacts healthcare by triggering a need for interventions to prevent these preventable deaths.
This investigation will require one individual to help in researching the problem and preparing a comprehensive report about this problem. This report will also include possible preventive strategies and one feasible strategy based on available resources. Two individuals will be responsible for laying out the objectives, implementation plan and possible outcomes of the project. The education officer in-charge of the area of study will be required to give authority, and may be required to accompany us during the first visit to any school. Consent from head priests and pastors will be required to enable us reach out to the congregation. There will be an individual who will document the sessions as they happen. There will also be a person to coordinate all the activities of the different individuals. Collectively, all the members will help in the successful implementation of the pilot project.
There are no specific data on teenagers (Hawton et al., 2012; Nordenhtoft, 2011); hence, much of the available information is applicable to individuals between 15 and 24 years of age. I used secondary data based on primary data and systemic reviews of previous studies. Until now, there seems to be inconclusive findings that indicate a strong association between a specific intervention and reduction of teenage suicide. A study by Gibbons et al. (2007) indicated a positive association between antidepressants and suicide, yet it had been initially hypothesized that antidepressants are an attributive factor for suicidal behavior. Universal strategies, as indicated by Nordentoft (2011), have not been fully and conclusively investigated. Familial ties and psychiatric disorders have been associated with incidences of suicide (Hawton et al. 2007). For example, poor family relationships lead to suicidal behavior and this is further aggravated by genetic vulnerability.
Based on the available research on teenage suicide, there is a need to offer social, mental, psychological and familial support for children as they enter the adolescent stage. Environmental pressures seem to overwhelm these individuals; thus, they need enlightenment on how to address these pressures as they emerge. This is the reason why I have decided to use a health talks as an intervention to reach out to the adolescents and their families.
Upon determination of the sample size and research method, I will liaise with various schools and churches to allow sessions on stress management. This session will last for 1 to 2 hours and will go on for at least two weeks depending on the number of teenagers available. Each session will involve 30 teenagers that will be selected commensurate with socio-demographic characteristics. Subsequently, evaluation tests that will be guided by standardized questionnaires will be used to determine knowledge gained.
Timeline
Despite the fact that teenage suicide is an area that has not received adequate attention in terms of research, it is a major cause of death among the young population and should be addressed. Various factors are highlighted as attributive factors for this negative behavior. Hence, the intervention aims to address these causative factors through health talks.
References
Dour, H., Cha, C., & Nock, M. (2011). Evidence for an emotion-cognition interaction in the statistical prediction of suicide attempts. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49, 294-298.
Gibbons, R., Brown, H., Hur, K., Marcus, S., Bhaumik, D., Erkens, J., …Mann, J. (2007). Am J Psychiatry, 164, 1356-1363.
Hawton, K., Saunders, K., & O’Connor, R. (2012). Self-harm and suicide in adolescents. Lancet, 379, 2373-2382.
Newhouse, R., Dearholt, S., Poe, S., Pugh, L., & White, K. (2007). John Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice: Model and guidelines. Web.
Nordentoft, M. (2011). Crucial elements in suicide prevention strategies. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 35, 848-853.