We are pleased
to present the final of a short series of articles in Partners in Health
UpdateSM, ?Suicide: A concern for all health care providers,?
that is designed to provide you with information on suicide and the importance
of your role in assessing your patients who may be at risk.
Part 4 ? Suicide risk assessment: Important
issues to remember
In the past few months, we have provided information regarding assessment
and safety planning for your patients at risk of suicide. We have collaborated
with Magellan Healthcare, Inc., to help both primary care providers (PCP) and
Behavioral Health providers (BHP) understand that suicide risk assessment is
becoming an expectation of all health care professionals.
Suicide can be preventable but only if health care providers understand
their role in recognizing and assessing for risk. A patient?s complaints of
insomnia, anxiety, substance use, pain, or recent diagnosis of an illness can
increase the risk of suicide. According to DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual for Mental Health Disorders), although statistically a majority of
people who commit suicide meet criteria for a behavioral health diagnosis, this
information is only found after a review of the medical records because most of
these people are not in mental health treatment. This reinforces the importance
of the PCP?s role in assessing suicide risk.
The assessment of suicide risk has been a standard practice in mental
health, and current literature has helped providers re-focus their efforts to
assure that they are including the recommended questions.
Most importantly, collaboration between the PCP and BHP and building
trusting relationships with the patient are the most effective activities in
the prevention of suicide. Your patients can be embarrassed, ashamed, or so
hopeless regarding their feelings of suicide that they can isolate themselves
from others. But through your relationship with them, and in collaboration with
their other health care provider(s), you can help patients to not act on
suicidal impulses.
Assessing for suicide risk and developing a safety plan are necessary for
all health care providers working toward the prevention of suicide. Below are
several resources you can recommend to your patients who are at risk:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Mental Health Association of Delaware: 302-654-6833 or
1-800-287-6423
- New Jersey Mental Health Cares Helpline: 1-866-202-HELP (4357)
- re:solve Crisis Network: 1-888-7-YOU CAN (1-888-796-8226)
Magellan Healthcare, Inc. manages mental health and
substance abuse benefits for most AmeriHealth members.