Using depression and suicide screenings and other resources can help save lives

Caring for your patients’ mental health needs is essential to their overall well-being. You can use these and other processes and resources to support their behavioral health needs.

• Implement the National Institute of Mental Health action steps for helping someone in emotional pain:
  
  1. Ask: Are you thinking about harming yourself?
  2. Keep them safe: Reduce access to lethal items or places. Be there: Listen carefully and acknowledge their feelings.
  3. Help them connect: Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
  4. Stay connected: Stay in touch after a crisis.
• Take free continuing medical education (CME) courses centered around suicide and depression to help you increase the depth and quality of care you provide:
  • Suicide and Depression in the Primary Care Office
  • Suicide Prevention and the 988 National Lifeline
  These activities are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in these activities.
• Know about other tools that can help you provide appropriate support:
  • Crisis hotlines, such as Trevor Lifeline 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQIA+ youth and Trans Lifeline24/7 crisis and peer support
  • Behavioral health resources, such as:
    • National Institute of Mental Health
    • Zero Suicide: Screen/Assess
    • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
    • American Academy of Pediatrics
    • Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
    • Ask Suicide-Screen Questions (ASQ) for ages 10-24
    • Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T)
    • Telephonic Psychiatric Consultation Service Program for PA Medical Assistance