TOPIC

1. Assessing suicidal ideation and behaviors among childhood brain tumor survivors and their mothers: incorporating the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Matthew S. Lucas, MA, RN1; Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, APRN1; Thomas L. Hardie, EdD, PMHCNS-BC1,2; Cynthia Paidipati, MSN1; Magdaline Diaz1; Amy Levin1; Wendy L. Hobbie, MSN, CRNP, FAAN1,3; Janet A. Deatrick, PhD, RN, FAAN1 1Center for Health Equity Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Widener University School of Nursing, Chester, PA, USA, 3Cancer Survivorship Program, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing OUTCOMES Center for Health Equity Research • 11 subjects (7 survivors, 4 caregivers) endorsed suicidal ideation and were screened • All received follow-up by a mental health professional and referral to services • Process notes contained the following themes about the subjects: • Survivor: anger and/or sadness; • Caregiver: physical and emotional demands of the survivor; • Interviewer: reiteration of event, successful assessment, and the mental health professional agreed with the C-SSRS referral algorithm TOPIC • As part of a study of survivors of childhood brain tumors (n=109) and their caregivers (n=142), suicidal ideation and behaviors were noted among the study participants. In order to address this potential ethical issue, the research team developed a protocol to assess both survivors and their mothers who expressed suicidal tendencies. • Evaluation of suicide assessment tool in a special population • Assess the difference between non-threatening ideation & need for intervention RECOMMENDATIONS • Address potential ethical issues in research and practice. • Research: • C-SSRS assists detecting suicide risk • Feasible to implement within a protocol by non-psychiatrically trained researchers • Helps direct need for intervention • Practice: • Possible use in the clinical setting • Potential feasibility as a screen to determine need for intervention IMPLEMENTATION The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) was utilized to evaluate the appropriate level of intervention by non-psychiatrically trained researchers for subjects who expressed suicidal ideation or behaviors. It has shown success in assessing subjects who endorsed suicidal ideation during initial phone interviews and was adapted for use in face-to-face contact in the home. The protocol includes follow-up with an on-call mental health professional. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Supported by the Graduate Scholarship in Cancer Nursing Practice GSCNP-09-236-01-SCN from the American Cancer Society (MSL); the National Institutes of Health T32-NR007100 (MSL) and R01-NR00965 (JAD, WLH); and the Oncology Nursing Society Neuro-oncology Nursing Research Grant (JAD, WLH). SAMPLE DESCRIPTION