Emotional distress and suicidal behavior in the primary care setting: practical management in adolescents

Meritxell Fernández Laffitte^a, Joaquim Puntí Vidal^b, Marina Esteve Cerdá^c, Berta Vilaseca García^a, Rebeca Gracia Liso^d

^aPsicóloga clínica. Consorcio Corporación Sanitaria Parc Tauli. Sabadell. Barcelona. España.
^bPsicólogo clínico. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Consorcio Corporación Sanitaria Parc Taulí. Sabadell. Barcelona. España.
^cPsiquiatra infantojuvenil. Consorcio Corporación Sanitaria Parc Tauli. Sabadell. Barcelona. España.
^dPsiquiatra infantojuvenil. Coordinadora Planta de Hospitalización Psiquiátrica Infantojuvenil. Consorcio Corporación Sanitaria Parc Tauli. Sabadell. Barcelona. España.

Correspondence: M Fernández. E-mail: mfernandezla01@tauli.cat

Reference of this article: Fernández Laffitte M, Puntí Vidal J, Esteve Cerdá M, Vilaseca García B, Gracia Liso R. Emotional distress and suicidal behavior in the primary care setting: practical management in adolescents. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2025;27:299-307. https://doi.org/10.60147/6070d2e5

Published in Internet: 27-08-2025 - Visits: 2946

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms, non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behaviors in the adolescent population. This article reviews the current situation in Spain from a contextual, clinical and practical perspective, integrating recent epidemiological data, individual and social risk factors, as well as relevant explanatory models. Furthermore, it differentiates the concepts of nonsuicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt, and proposes intervention strategies for the primary care setting, along with specific recommendations for pediatricians. The aim is to offer a useful, evidence-based guide to facilitate the early detection of these behaviors and to improve the health care response in frontline care settings.

Keywords

● Adolescent ● Mental Disorders ● Mental health ● Nonsuicidal self-injury ● Suicidal ideation