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Preventing Suicide Network Helping those who help others

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… programs to improve the detection, treatment and follow-up of psychiatric illness, especially by family physicians, offer the greatest potential of reducing suicide rates.

Mortensen, P.B., et al. (2000). Psychiatric illness and risk factors for suicide in Denmark. Lancet, 355, 9-12.

Introduction

Suicide prevention is everybody's business, especially primary care physicians. There are times when as a primary care physician you are called upon to determine a patient's risk for suicide. The more comprehensive clinical term, suicidality, addresses issues related to ideation, plans, suicide attempts, and survivors of loved ones who have completed suicide. You have the potential to see these patients on any given day in your office practice, as persons at risk for suicide may gain access to you by presenting with a different set of symptoms. You will need to be vigilant to assess for suicidality.

The statistics related to suicide screening and prevention among primary care physicians can be misleading. Only 4.2% of all definite or possible suicides are attributed to primary care patients. That translates into one person dying by suicide every three years among primary care physicians with patient loads of among 2,000-4,000 (Reference 1).

However, research has also shown that only 27% of all patients diagnosed as depressed received that diagnosis from their primary care physician. Furthermore, other studies indicate that as many as 50% of all cases of clinical depression remain undiagnosed. These conflicting findings indicate that there are missed opportunities in primary care medicine to diagnose and intervene with persons at risk for suicide.

References for Physician Introduction

What to look for as a Physician

Find information on associated factors and information for Physicians to further understand the behaviors and feelings that can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.

What to do to help as a Physician

Find information on what steps to take as a Physician to provide or get someone needed help.

What education is available for a Physician

Find varied and specialized resources for Physicians to enhance their knowledge of and training in suicide prevention.

What researchers are doing of interest to Physicians

Physicians can find relevant and current information on suicide and suicide prevention research projects as well as research findings that can help in working with people at risk or advocating for new research efforts.

What other resources are available for Physicians

Locate resources that are specific to Physicians and the general topic of suicide

What to look for

>>Myths

>Professional resources

>>Professional screening tools