Improving Care Linkage for Racial-Ethnic Minority Youths Receiving Emergency Department Treatment for Suicidality: SAFETY-A.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youths-Acute (SAFETY-A), a brief strengths-based, cognitive-behavioral family intervention, on racial-ethnic minority youths receiving emergency department (ED) treatment for suicidal episodes.

Methods: Participants were 105 racial-ethnic minority youths enrolled in a randomized controlled trial evaluating SAFETY-A versus enhanced usual care for youths receiving ED treatment for suicidal episodes. Analyses examined group effects on care linkage after discharge and adequate treatment dose. A sample of 55 White youths was included for comparison.

Results: Racial-ethnic minority youths who received SAFETY-A had higher treatment linkage rates than those receiving usual care. Adequate treatment dose rates did not differ by group.

Conclusions: Racial-ethnic minority youths receiving SAFETY-A had higher treatment linkage rates after discharge than those receiving usual care. SAFETY-A is a promising approach to enhance care continuity and mental health equity for racial-ethnic minority youths at risk for suicide.