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Suicide: A concern for all health care providers

October 30, 2015


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., an independent company, 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., an independent company, manages mental health and substance abuse benefits for most Independence members.


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