Donna A. Ruch, PhD, is interested in improving behavioral health and suicide related outcomes across youth serving systems (juvenile justice, child welfare, healthcare, education) to better inform suicide prevention strategies. Her research focuses on:
Promoting improved outcomes for youth and families via a systems of care approach to suicide prevention. Identifying risk and protective factors associated with suicide in youth to advance prevention strategies. Building capacity for cross-system collaboration to guide research decisions that can identify optimal targets for intervention.
Dr. Ruch receives funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Current Projects Epidemiologic and Machine Learning Approaches to Frame Suicide Prevention Strategies Among Juvenile Justice Youth Youth incarcerated in the juvenile justice system are found to have higher rates of suicidal behavior than the general population. While progress has been made to reduce suicide for youth within juvenile correctional facilities, minimal consideration has been given to the risk for suicide in youth after incarceration. Previously incarcerated youth face numerous challenges reintegrating back into the community that can increase their risk for suicidal behavior. Estimates further suggest that youth involved in the justice system have significant mental health issues, and time spent in the system can exacerbate these conditions. Despite the recognized risk in this vulnerable population, evidence-based suicide prevention strategies are not integrated as part of routine reentry services for youth released from confinement. Funded by a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) career development K award, this study uses innovative machine learning techniques to develop a risk prediction model incorporating youth characteristics and contextual factors associated with confinement to assess suicide risk more accurately in youth following incarceration.
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Donna A. Ruch, PhD, is interested in improving behavioral health and suicide related outcomes across youth serving systems (juvenile justice, child welfare, healthcare, education) to better inform suicide prevention strategies.
Her research focuses on:
- Promoting improved outcomes for youth and families via a systems of care approach to suicide prevention.
- Identifying risk and protective factors associated with suicide in youth to advance prevention strategies.
- Building capacity for cross-system collaboration to guide research decisions that can identify optimal targets for intervention.
Dr. Ruch receives funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Current Projects
Epidemiologic and Machine Learning Approaches to Frame Suicide Prevention Strategies Among Juvenile Justice Youth
Youth incarcerated in the juvenile justice system are found to have higher rates of suicidal behavior than the general population. While progress has been made to reduce suicide for youth within juvenile correctional facilities, minimal consideration has been given to the risk for suicide in youth after incarceration. Previously incarcerated youth face numerous challenges reintegrating back into the community that can increase their risk for suicidal behavior. Estimates further suggest that youth involved in the justice system have significant mental health issues, and time spent in the system can exacerbate these conditions.
Despite the recognized risk in this vulnerable population, evidence-based suicide prevention strategies are not integrated as part of routine reentry services for youth released from confinement. Funded by a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) career development K award, this study uses innovative machine learning techniques to develop a risk prediction model incorporating youth characteristics and contextual factors associated with confinement to assess suicide risk more accurately in youth following incarceration.
Join Our Team
Explore Job Openings in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research