Pediatric Suicide Prevention:
A Practical Care Pathway for Primary Care

According to CDPHE’s 2023 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 11 percent of youth seriously considered suicide in the previous year, and 6 percent attempted suicide. Primary care interventions can have a dramatic positive impact on this pediatric mental health crisis. This three-session ECHO series supports primary care providers in the outpatient setting by offering a practical suicide prevention care pathway based on the Zero Suicide framework. The three sessions cover the implementation of an evidence-based screening tool, assessment, safety planning, lethal means safety and ongoing management follow-up plan to support youth experiencing suicidal ideation. Resources and referral information will be shared throughout the series.

The goals of this series are to expand routine suicide screening during youth health visits, strengthen primary care providers’ knowledge and confidence in screening, risk assessment and care planning, and ensure participants leave prepared to implement a practical, sustainable suicide prevention care pathway within their own clinic or practice.