Let’s talk about something that’s tough but incredibly important: suicide prevention. You’re probably thinking, “Why would this matter to me?” But here’s the thing — the solutions to this pressing issue are more accessible than you might think. And guess where they’re starting? Right at your routine doctor’s visit.
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed something remarkable: integrating suicide care into primary healthcare reduced suicide attempts by 25% within just 90 days. Let’s break this down and explore how this can impact lives, including your own, and what we can do to support these efforts.
The Power of Screening
Imagine going to a doctor for a sore throat and leaving with more than just medicine. What if your doctor also asked, “How are you feeling emotionally?” That’s what happened in Kaiser Permanente clinics in Washington state. Between 2015 and 2018, they started screening patients for suicidal thoughts using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). This simple act of asking tough questions led to safety planning and a 14% increase in documented plans to keep people safe.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, once said, “Mental health is the foundation of our overall health.” And it’s true. When we treat mental health as part of our regular health check-ups, we make it okay to talk about things that otherwise remain hidden.
Why This Matters
If you’re in your teens or twenties, chances are you’ve seen someone around you struggle with mental health issues. Maybe it’s a friend, a family member, or even yourself. The idea of seeking help can be overwhelming, but this study shows that help doesn’t have to be hard to find. Primary care visits are a regular part of life, and turning them into safe spaces for mental health discussions could change everything.
Taylor Swift once remarked, “It’s okay not to be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way.” The first step to not staying in that dark place might be as simple as answering your doctor’s questions honestly.
What Can You Do?
Here are some actionable suggestions, inspired by both research and popular self-help books:
Start Conversations: Whether it’s with a friend, family member, or a healthcare provider, opening up is the first step. As Brené Brown says in Daring Greatly, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of connection.”
Safety Planning: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, create a safety plan. Write down people you can call, places you feel safe, and activities that make you feel better. Books like Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns provide excellent techniques for managing overwhelming emotions.
Educate Yourself: Learn the warning signs of suicide in yourself and others. Resources like The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explain how mental health issues manifest physically and how to heal.
Practice Self-Care: Simple habits like journaling, meditation, or even going for a walk can help. As Matthew McConaughey says in his memoir Greenlights, “Sometimes, you’ve got to go back to actually move forward.”
Solutions and Hope
This integrated care model shows us that solutions don’t have to be complicated. Leadership, teamwork, and technology — like clinical decision tools — make this approach effective. But it’s the human touch, the willingness to ask and listen, that makes it transformative.
If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. And if you see someone else struggling, remember that even small acts of kindness, like listening without judgment, can make a big difference.
In the words of Robin Williams, “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” Let’s start changing the world one conversation, one safety plan, and one doctor’s visit at a time. You’ve got this, and there’s a community out there ready to help you every step of the way.