Experiences of Black Adolescents With Suicide Emergencies: A Qualitative Study Focusing on Continuity of Care and Acceptability of Text-Based Caring Contacts

Suicide rates have increased among Black youth. Caring contacts can decrease adult suicide reattempts and rehospitalizations and may be both acceptable and scalable among adolescents. We assessed the experiences of Black adolescents visiting an emergency department (ED) for suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors and their perceptions about a caring contacts intervention. We used a qualitative thematic analytic approach to generate key findings from 10 in-depth interviews with patients and/or their parents after ED discharge. Black adolescents experienced lacking ED-based therapeutic interventions, family-inclusive services, and orientation to future steps. Participants perceived caring contacts as an acceptable, developmentally and culturally appropriate postdischarge intervention.