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PDF for Print

​​ISSUE BRIEF:  Suicide Prevention [1]

Integrated suicide prevention practices are recommended within education, healthcare,
justice and other local systems. Key Components and Promising Practices are summarized. 

Key Components

Access to health, mental health & SUD Care:
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Integrated Care
  • Mental health workforce adequate to provide access for all
  • Primary Care Doctors able to screen for suicide risk, depression and SUD, and treat within integrated care systems
 
Connection to community and family support through      culturally-competent training, programs and partnerships
 
 Lethal Means Restriction:
  • Railways & Bridges—Deterrent Systems
  • Prescription Policies for certain      medications
  • Carbon Monoxide Emission Controls on autos
  • Weapons
    • Firearm safety mechanisms such as gun locks and safes.
    • Suicide Awareness Training of firearm professionals
 
Responsible Media Reporting to:
  • Prevent suicide clusters
  • Share prevention and recovery information

Vulnerable Groups
​According to statewide statistics.

People in Middle/Older Age, Veterans & LGBTQ
  • Age 35-64: High rates in 2017   
  • Veterans appr. 14% of  U.S. Suicides 2016
  • Age 65+ Historically High Rate   
  • LGBTQ Adults & Youth
People Admitted to and Discharged from Hospital Settings
  • Emergency Departments—Individuals seen for self-injury are 30 times more likely to die by suicide than other patients.
  • Psychiatric Hospitalization—Suicide risk increases during the first week of admission to a psychiatric hospital and during the first week after discharge.

PROMISING PRACTICES

Tools

Programs

Crisis Intervention Tools:
  • Universal Screening for Suicide Risk with secondary assessment by a physician
  • Resources at discharge to include:
    • Safety Plan
    • Follow-up Calls
    • Follow-up Care

Risk Assessment and Management Tools:
  • Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
  • Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9)
  • Crisis Response Planning
  • Safety Plan

Treatment Tools:
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention
  • Collaborative Assessment and 
  • Management of Suicidality.
  • Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP)
  • Pharmacological Interventions

Postvention Tools directed toward suicide loss survivors, including family, friends, professionals and community at large to address:
  • Grief and distress (e.g. face-to-face 
  • bereavement support groups)
  • Negative effects of exposure to suicide
  • Prevent additional suicide by people at risk

​
CALM: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means--On-line Training

Gatekeeper Training for teachers, families, coaches, military, supervisors, clergy, emergency responders, urgent care and others to identify at-risk individuals and respond effectively, including connection to services
  • Adults
    • Question, Persuade, Refer
    • Living Works
  • Children & Youth
    • More Than Sad
    • Signs Matter Early Detection
    • LGBT Youth

Overdose Response: Harm reduction interventions such as Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid overdose.

​Resilience & Skills Training to promote critical thinking, conflict resolution, stress management and coping. (e.g. Good Behavior Game, American Indian Life Skills Development curriculum)
​[1]     Issue brief is based on: “Striving for Zero - CA’s Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention 2020-2025” by the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission.  www.calbhbc.org/suicide
 

OFFICE

717 K STREET, SUITE 427
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

mission

cALBHB/C supports the work of california's 59 local  behavioral health boards and commissions by providing resources, training, and opportunities for communication and statewide advocacy.

Local boards are responsible for reviewing public behavioral health and needs, services, facilities and special problems, and serve in an advisory capacity to local governing bodies and local behavioral health directors per CA Welfare and Institutions Code 5604.2.
Donations are welcome. CALBHB/C is a nonprofit organization.