A revision and extension of the prevention of escalating adolescent crisis events (PEACE) protocol

The disparity between urban and rural suicide rates is increasing. In response to this major public health problem, clinicians and school mental health researchers designed a systematic crisis intervention protocol to be used with adolescents presenting with suicidal or homicidal ideation. The prevention of escalating adolescent crisis events (PEACE) protocol is a comprehensive risk assessment designed for use by licensed clinicians working collaboratively with school personnel. A revised and extended version of the PEACE protocol was employed during 68 crisis events involving 42 high school students in 2013-14. These results and clinical implications of utilizing a systematic protocol to address potential suicidal or violence threats are discussed.