Presenters
- Mercedes Ingram, PhD, LPC, Program Manager, University Health System, San Antonio, TX
- José Gonzalez, MS, Program Manager – Zero Suicide, University Health System, San Antonio, TX
- Laura Farley, MA, Director of Community Initiatives and Population Health & Zero Suicide Project Co-Director, University Health System, San Antonio, TX
Summary
National figures estimate that over 83% of people who died by suicide saw their primary care provider at least once within the year prior to their suicide death.1. In order to address this most preventable cause of death and with the goal of integrating behavioral and primary care, the Health System has implemented the Zero Suicide model. This evidenced-based approach aims to raise awareness, establish referral processes, and improve care and outcomes for the complex care needs of patients at-risk for suicide.2 As the mandated safety net hospital system for the region and a Level 1 Trauma Center, Bexar County Hospital District, dba University Health System, serves 22 counties through its teaching hospital and ambulatory clinics. University Health System is implementing a comprehensive, multi-setting suicide prevention and intervention approach under the framework of the seven essential elements of the Zero Suicide Model. This workshop will review the Zero Suicide model to include organizational assessments measuring primary care staff competencies related to suicide prevention and care. Additionally, we will review evidenced-based trainings related to screening (Patient Health Questionnaire – PHQ 3/9), assessment (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale – C-SSRS), best practices (Question, Persuade, Refer – QPR3), and treatment interventions (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality – CAMS4 & Counseling on Access to Lethal Means – CALM5). This innovative approach of the Zero Suicide model is one of the first applications to implementing a comprehensive, universal, suicide prevention program across a regional health system. As a safety net hospital, our primary population encounters complex social needs which can best be addressed by strengthening integrated primary care services. To remain relevant and sustainable, the Health System has incorporated feedback from leadership, community members, leading agencies/organizations in suicide prevention, survivors of suicide, and crisis organizations. We will present findings on barriers to implementation including resistance to change within the system, lack of knowledge and positive attitudes towards suicide prevention, and the efforts made to address these issues.
Objectives
- Participants will learn about a practical framework for system-wide transformation toward safer suicide care in primary care settings.
- Participants will learn practical evaluation tools which can assess workforce development related to suicide prevention in primary care, in the context of implementation science.
- Participants will learn about the various evidenced-based trainings (QRP, CALM, CAMS, CASE Approach) for suicide assessment, prevention, and care.