The Urgency of Suicide Screenings in Primary Care: Tools, Best Practices and Implications

October 3, 2023

In an era where mental health crises are escalating, primary care remains the front line in detecting early signs of distress. Regrettably, suicide, a preventable tragedy, ranks as a leading cause of death worldwide.

Primary care settings, being the most accessible medical touchpoint for many, play a pivotal role in gauging this risk. Hence, the urgency of integrating suicide screenings in primary care can't be overemphasized.

A glimpse into vital screening tools

Among the array of screening tools available, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) stands out, extensively utilized for its effectiveness in gauging depression severity. Notably, its ninth item, which asks “thoughts about being better off dead or hurting yourself in some way”.

Item 9 probes patients' thoughts about self-harm, capturing essential information that could signify suicidal risk. Most often, it’s the way most patients are identified in primary care as being at risk for suicide. Additionally, anxiety is a large risk factor for suicide. Screening for anxiety with the GAD-7 and asking individuals who score high about suicide will ultimately help to save lives.

Primary care suicide screening policies: Best practices & future directions for improved mental health outcomes

The narrative is clear: Implementing depression, anxiety and even specific suicide screenings should become standard practice in primary care. By mandating regular screenings, consistent with USPTF recommendations, health care systems can ensure that high-risk individuals don't slip through the cracks.

Training primary care practitioners in utilizing tools like the GAD-7, PHQ-9 and interpreting results is equally crucial. With an informed approach, they can make timely referrals, ensuring patients receive the appropriate interventions when needed.

The transformative power of regular mental health screenings

Imagine a health care ecosystem where every patient's mental well-being is prioritized alongside physical health. By routinely conducting suicide risk screenings in primary care settings, we inch closer to this vision. 

Benefits of implementing systematic mental health screenings in primary care:

• Uncover hidden emotional distress: Many individuals with suicidal ideation remain silent about their struggles. Regular behavioral health screenings ensure that these individuals are identified and supported.
• Optimize personalized treatment strategies: With insights gained from systematic screenings, clinicians can create tailored behavioral health interventions, ensuring each patient receives the most appropriate care.
• Redefine the national approach to suicide prevention: Adopting a proactive stance in primary care settings can pivot the nation's perspective on suicide, transitioning from a reactive stance to a proactive, compassionate preventative strategy.
  

Charting a compassionate tomorrow

As the national suicide crisis burgeons, the call to action grows louder. Through effective suicide screenings in primary care and leveraging tools like the GAD-7 and the PHQ-9, we can forge a future where behavioral health care is holistic, preventive, and above all, compassionate.

It's time to recognize and respond to the urgency, ensuring everyone feels seen, heard and supported.

If you or someone you know needs help

The discussion of suicide is sensitive and potentially triggering. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or tendencies, immediate help is available:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Phone: 988 | 1-800-273-8255
• Online Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat

Available 24/7, this lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources.

Remember, it's crucial to reach out for support or encourage loved ones to do so if they're in crisis.