Over the past decade, adolescent mental health issues and suicide rates have surged, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This alarming trend has led to increased demand for pediatric inpatient psychiatry units (IPUs) across the United States. Despite the urgent need, research on the effectiveness of these units in improving mental health outcomes for teens remains limited.
A recent study conducted by Dr. Patricia Ibeziako and her team at Boston Children’s Hospital analyzed the electronic medical records and self-reported questionnaires of over 200 adolescents, ages 12 to 17, admitted to the IPU between September 2021 and September 2023. Published in the journal *Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice* on April 21, 2025, the study uncovered alarming statistics: more than 75% of participants reported at least one suicide attempt in their lifetime, and nearly 70% experienced suicidal thoughts within two weeks prior to their admission.
The predominant diagnosis among these adolescents was depression, with 93% meeting the criteria. Many also had co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and trauma-related disorders.
During their stay, the adolescents received comprehensive care, including daily interactions with doctors, therapists, nurses, and counselors. They participated in group therapy sessions, received academic support, and received assistance for physical health issues. The treatment team employed standardized tools to assess suicide risk and developed safety plans tailored to each individual. Proven therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) were integral components of their care.
A key aspect of the study was gathering feedback directly from the adolescents through Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) surveys. These surveys allowed the teens to express their feelings and evaluate their functioning, providing the care team with valuable information on what aspects of the treatment were effective and what required further attention.
Despite the severity of their symptoms at the time of admission, the study reported significant improvements by discharge. Dr. Ibeziako noted, “Self-reported measures on depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, family functioning, and overall life satisfaction all improved significantly.” The most notable change was in depressive symptoms, with enhancements observed across all subscales, including mood, suicidal ideation, and energy levels.
Most strikingly, the adolescents reported a reduction in suicidal thoughts by over 50%. Dr. Ibeziako highlighted the positive impact of implementing enhanced suicide screening and treatment aligned with the Zero Suicide framework, which focuses on creating a culture of safety and support for individuals at risk of suicide.
The findings indicate that when combined with other depression treatments, this framework leads to substantial improvements in symptom management and emotional regulation among adolescents. Dr. Ibeziako pointed out that pediatric IPUs are essential in delivering these life-saving interventions.
As adolescent depression and suicidal thoughts reach unprecedented levels, the results from this study emphasize the urgent need for healthcare systems to prioritize resources and access to pediatric IPUs and to conduct further research into their outcomes. The data clearly supports the notion that timely, targeted psychiatric care can be a decisive factor in saving young lives.
