Gender and service utilization in adolescents with drug abuse and suicidality: Epidemiology and clinical considerations

Drug abuse and depression are common among adolescents and they can lead to several adverse consequences that range from school dropout and social isolation to suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among young people. Adolescents are reluctant to seek help for psychiatric problems and this may have fatal consequences. The present article explores gender differences in service utilization in adolescents with drug abuse and suicidality. An awareness of these differences may help clinicians and policymakers to develop and implement tailored-made strategies for adolescents in need of psychiatric help.