Expert Recommendations:

Suicide Prevention Resources for Clinicians and Caregivers

Expert Recommendations: Suicide Prevention Resources for Clinicians and Caregivers

By Lucas Zullo, PhD
Clinical Director of the David Farber ASPIRE Center at Thomas Jefferson University

Lucas Zullo is a clinical psychologist and expert in youth suicide prevention. He is the Clinical Director of the David Farber ASPIRE Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. The ASPIRE Center is a suicide prevention specialty center that provides evidence-based care through a family focused and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Zullo has expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and has trained hundreds of providers across the country in evidence-based approaches for youth depression and suicide prevention through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) as a part of the UCLA-Duke ASAP Center. He is also an on-call consultant for 988 and the Trevor Project. Dr. Zullo’s research is focused on youth suicide prevention, with an emphasis on improving care for LGBTQ+ youth at risk for suicide. In recognition of September as Suicide Prevention month, we asked Dr. Zullo to share helpful resources for clinicians and caregivers.

Here is his list:

1. Zullo, L., Seager van Dyk, I., Ollen, E. W., Ramos, N., Asarnow, J. R., & Miranda, J. (2021). Treatment recommendations and barriers to care for suicidal LGBTQ youth: A quality improvement study. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 6(3), 393-409. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2021.1950079

2. Meza, J. I., Zullo, L., Vargas, S., Ougrin, D., & Asarnow, J. R. (2023). Common elements in suicide and self-harm interventions for youth. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 64(10), 1409-1421. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13780.

3. Zullo, L., Rogers, M., & Taliaferro, L. (2023). NSSI among sexual and gender diverse youth. In E. Lloyd-Richardson, I. Baetens, J. Whitlock. The Oxford Handbook of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury. Oxford University Press. (Book)

4. Molock, S., Boyd, R., Alvarez, K., Cha, C., Denton, E., Glenn, C., Katz, C., Mueller, A., Meca, A., Meza, J., Miranda, R., Ortin-Peralta, A., Polanco-Roman, L., Singer, J., Zullo, L., & Miller, A. (2023). Culturally responsive assessment of suicidal behaviors in youth of color. American Psychologist, 78(7), 842–855. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001140.

5. Johnson, P. & Zullo, L. (June, 2024). Life-saving tips for your LGBTQ+ Child. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/post/life-saving-tips-for-your-lgbtq-child

6. Asarnow, J. R., Goldston, D. B., Tunno, A. M., Inscoe, A. B., & Pynoos, R. (2020). Suicide, self-harm, & traumatic stress exposure: A trauma-informed approach to the evaluation and management of suicide risk. Evidence-based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 5(4), 483-500. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2020.1796547

7. Brent, D., Poling, K., & Goldstein, T. (2011). Treating Depressed and Suicidal Adolescents: A Clinician’s Guide. Guilford Press. (Book)

8. Ryan, C. (2019). Family behaviors that increase your LGBTQ child’s health and well-being [Flyer]. Family Acceptance Project. https://familyproject.sfsu.edu/posters