Future research should continue to explore these findings in order to further inform treatment and prevention efforts. For example, more information is needed about the process by which parental mental health problems convey risk for suicide attempt. Previous work by our research group (King et al. 1997) suggests that one important mechanism may be the difficulty that mentally ill parents have in successfully linking their children to aftercare treatment as well as encouraging them to follow through with recommendations. Parental mental health history may impact outcomes for suicidal adolescents by impacting treatment adherence. It was notable that close to half of mothers and fathers who reported a history of mental health problems indicated that they had difficulty carrying out family responsibilities. It is possible that such difficulties would extend to the significant organizational burden of complying with treatment recommendations for a formerly hospitalized youth (e.g., medication compliance, medication management appointments, and weekly individual and/or family therapy sessions). Alternatively, it is possible that parents who have personally benefited from mental health treatment may be more likely to encourage their child’s adherence
