Adolescents’ Engagement with Crisis Hotline Risk-management Services: A Report from the Emergency Department Screen for Teen Suicide Risk (ED-STARS) Study

Objective: This study examines the feasibility of a risk-management protocol for adolescent research participants at risk for suicide that relies on engagement with telephone crisis counselors. The study also examines whether engagement is moderated by adolescent demographics and clinical characteristics. Method: Participants were 234 adolescents (83% female; 63% White) ages 12–18 (M = 15.3 years) drawn from the national study, Emergency Department Screen for Teens at Risk for Suicide (ED-STARS) Study One sample of adolescents randomized for 3-month telephone follow-up (n = 2,850). This study's sample was comprised of adolescents who completed the follow-up (69% retention), met study risk criteria, and were transferred to a crisis hotline for risk management. Engagement with a counselor was assessed by successful call connection, call duration, and information sharing. Results: Ninety-four percent of calls resulted in a successful call transfer, and the majority of youth (84%) shared information with counselor about one or more coping strategies. Average call length was 12.6 min (SD = 9.9). Engagement did not vary by gender, race, age, ethnicity, or clinical characteristics. Conclusions: Adolescents’ engagement with telephone risk-management services was strong, suggesting that this strategy can address safety. Further, findings suggest telephone risk-management services effectively engage youth across demographic and clinical subgroups.