Suicide Prevention Toolkit
We are committed to zero suicides. We recognize the important role you play in our members’ lives through their visits to your practice. We are committed to partnering with you by offering resources to help integrate suicide prevention strategies into your appointments with patients.
Suicide Prevention Websites
In addition to the resources below, we encourage you to explore the resources on these websites for a deeper dive into suicide prevention techniques you can implement in your practice.
- Zero Suicide Initiative – The Zero Suicide Initiative is a commitment to suicide prevention in health and behavioral health care systems.
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center – The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is the nation’s only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
Suicide Screening and Assessments
| Topic | Resources |
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Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale | The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is an evidence-based assessment that uses a simple set of questions to screen for suicidal thoughts or behavior. Learn more:
Get training:
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Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality | Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), developed by Dr. David A. Jobes, is a “therapeutic framework for suicide-specific assessment and treatment of a patient’s suicidal risk” (CAMS-care). Learn more: |
Suicide First Aid | Suicide First Aid can help you recognize when someone may have suicidal thoughts and learn what to do to support their immediate safety. Get training: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety (Suicide Prevention Resource Center). Family and loved ones of the at-risk patient can participate too! |
Safety Interventions
| Topic | Resources |
|---|---|
Lethal Means Education | When a patient is deemed to have a high risk of suicide, you can work with them and their loved ones to limit their access to any firearms or other lethal means. Learn more:
Get training:
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Therapies
| Topic | Resources |
|---|---|
Dialectical Behavior Therapy | Dialectical behavior therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy that has been found helpful in the treatment of a variety of mental health disorders (Psych Central). Learn more:
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