A new study from Karolinska Institutet investigates the effectiveness of a family-based cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents with suicidal behavior. The study, published in the scientific journal BMJ Mental Health, shows that the treatment Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youths (SAFETY) may be a promising option for reducing suicide attempts and self-harming behavior.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have conducted a study to evaluate a new treatment method for adolescents with suicidal behavior. The study, published in the scientific journal BMJ Mental Health, shows that the family-based cognitive behavioral therapy Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youths (SAFETY) may be an effective way to reduce suicide attempts and self-harming behavior in young people.
The study included 30 adolescents aged 10 to 17 who had recently exhibited suicidal behavior. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one received the SAFETY treatment, and the other received supportive therapy, an active control treatment. The intervention lasted 12 weeks and included both individual and family-based sessions.
The results show that both treatments had high adherence rates and that participants were satisfied with the care. At the three-month follow-up, two participants in the SAFETY group and four in the supportive therapy group had made new suicide attempts. Self-harming behavior was reduced by 95% in the SAFETY group and 69% in the supportive therapy group.
- Our results suggest that SAFETY is a feasible and promising treatment for adolescents with suicidal behavior, says Moa Karemyr, MSc, from the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet. It is important to continue investigating this treatment in larger studies to determine its effectiveness.
In addition to reducing suicide attempts and self-harm, the SAFETY intervention also showed improvements in anxiety, depression, quality of life, and emotion regulation among participants. These findings indicate that SAFETY may have a broader positive impact on adolescents' mental health.
- This study is an important step toward developing effective treatments for adolescents with suicidal behavior, says Johan Bjureberg, PhD, from the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet. We hope our findings can help improve care for this vulnerable group.
The study highlights the need for further research to confirm these preliminary results and to explore how SAFETY can be implemented in different healthcare settings. The researchers now plan to conduct a larger randomized controlled trial to further assess the treatment's effectiveness.
- We are very grateful to all the families who participated in the study and for their commitment. Their contribution is vital to developing better treatments for adolescents struggling with suicidal behavior, says Moa Karemyr.
This study marks an important advancement in suicide research among adolescents and could contribute to improving treatment options for this vulnerable population.
