Suicide death rates in the U.S. have risen to record high levels in recent years driven by increasing rates of firearm suicide. Dr. Bell will discuss the epidemiology and risk factors for youth suicide, the role of impulsivity and access to firearms, approaches to prevention, and priorities for future policy and research.

Dr. Rebecca Bell is a Pediatric Critical Care physician at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine at UVM. Dr. Bell received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and a master’s degree in public health from the Harvard School of Public Health. She completed her pediatric residency training as well as her pediatric critical care fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Outside of clinical care, Dr. Bell works on injury prevention efforts for the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP). She is president-elect of the Vermont Medical Society and serves in leadership roles within the American Academy of Pediatrics at the state and national level.