Young people from the Missions locales de Paris and the risk of suicide. Preliminary results of a controlled trial of a psychotherapeutic follow-up suicide prevention (MLADO) proposal

Introduction. - Considering its frequency, adolescent and young adult suicidal behavior has become in France a major public health issue. The Mission locale de Paris (MLP) is a publi-cly financed structure aiming at helping young people in distress to achieve a better social and professional insertion.Method. - Since youths without activity have a twofold increased risk of suicidal behavior, we designed MLADO, a controlled and randomized trial to assess the efficacy of offering a weekly psychological follow-up for youths from the Paris MLP with a score at 8 and over on the Adoles-cent Depression Rating Scale or with a score over threshold at the Child Trauma Questionnaire. This psychological follow-up by a professional was paid for a year. Results. - One hundred and sixty five youths, followed up at the five participating MLP agen-cies, went for an interview for inclusion into MLADO. Among the 128 included, 20.3% had an antecedent of suicidal behavior but no suicidal attempts or even self-harm was observed in the two groups during follow-up. The ADRS score dropped sharply in both groups after the 3rd month of follow up, but it took a year of follow-up for this score to be normalized in the control group.Conclusion. - Taking a proactive stance towards vulnerable youths seems acceptable, with the proposition of an assessment and orientation towards a psychological treatment, with a qualified psychologist in town, without any delay nor at any cost for them. This is also effective in reducing depression and suicidal risk. Both the ADRS and the CTQ appear to be good dialogue boxes, allowing for a dialogue about their present mental health and about their past, and helping them to seek help.& COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of l'Academie nationale de medecine.