Using depression and suicide screenings and other resources can help save lives
Sep. 2024Important Notices
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:
- Ask: Are you thinking about harming yourself?
- Keep them safe: Reduce access to lethal items or places. Be there: Listen carefully and acknowledge their feelings.
- Help them connect: Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- 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: 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
Recent Announcements
Bridging Smiles and Systems: Collaborative Care for Children with Chronic Conditions
Please join us for a live, CME-accredited and CEU-accredited webinar on May 13 from noon to 1p.m., that will explore the critical connection between oral health and pediatric chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, congenital heart disease, and ADHD.Feb. 2026Education/Webinars
February 2026 UPMC for You and UPMC Community HealthChoices formulary update
Pulmicort Flexhaler has a new distributor, Rubicon Holding. National Drug Codes (NDCs) for Pulmicort Flexhaler from Rubicon Holding are not included in the Medicaid Drug Rebate program and are not covered under the Medicaid Prescription Drug Program. Pulmicort Flexhaler NDCs from the previous manufacturer, H2 Pharma, have been discontinued but may be billed/dispensed until supplies are exhausted.Feb. 2026Pharmacy Updates
CME Webinar: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s ‘Talk Saves Lives’ Program
Please join us on Tuesday, April 28, from noon to 1 p.m. for “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention.” This live, CME-accredited webinar is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s flagship suicide prevention education program. It covers the scope of this leading cause of death, warning signs and risk factors for suicide, and strategies to prevent it.Feb. 2026Education/Webinars