Part 1 – Recognizing the role of all
health care providers to address the issue of suicide
Mental health problems often underlie suicidal thoughts and more than half
of the people who die by suicide have not been diagnosed with a mental health
disorder. Recent statistics suggest that more apparent risk factors
aren’t always recognized or addressed by health care providers. In a June
2018 press release the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, M.D. said,
“Suicide is a leading cause of death for Americans – and it’s
a tragedy for families and communities across the country. From individuals and
communities to employers and health care professionals, everyone can play a
role in efforts to help save lives and reverse this troubling rise in
suicide.”
Current markers of a troubling trend
The steady rise of suicide rates in Americans of all ages is concerning.
Some important facts include:
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Joint
Commission-accredited Organizations, suicide rates rose 25.4 percent from 1999
to 2016.1,2
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all age groups, and
increases to eighth (ages 55-64), fourth (ages 35-44) and second (ages 10-34)
according to age.
- In 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans died by suicide, and 1.3 million attempted
suicide.
- Suicide is one of just three leading causes that are on the rise.
These statistics represent both individuals with known mental health
conditions and those without known mental health conditions. However,
suicide rates are higher for people who have not been diagnosed with a
mental health condition.
Awareness and screening
Health care providers need to be aware of and
screen for patient risk factors based on human
issues, such as:
- relationship problems
- perceived crisis experiences (past, present, anticipated future)
- substance misuse
- physical health problems
- job or financial problems
- criminal or legal issues
- loss of housing
Collaboration for patient benefit
It is the expectation that network practitioners utilize available
resources, including referral to and coordination of care with behavioral
healthcare providers, to identify and treat members at risk for suicidal
ideation and promote improved patient outcomes.
Magellan Healthcare, an independent company, and Independence provide
evidence-based guidelines and resources to facilitate screening and management
of suicidal ideation. You can access these resources under the Magellan
Behavioral Health Toolkit on our website.
1Stone DM,
Simon TR, Fowler KA, et al. “Vital Signs: Trends in State Suicide Rates
— United States, 1999–2016 and Circumstances Contributing to
Suicide — 27 States, 2015.” MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.
2018; 67: 617–624. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6722a1
.
2Joint
Commission-Accredited Organizations. “Detecting and Treating Suicide
Ideation in All Settings." Sentinel Event Alert. 2016., Issue
56.
Magellan Healthcare, Inc. manages mental health and
substance abuse benefits for most Independence members.