x
Breaking News
More () »

St. Luke's now asking patients about suicide

Adult patients will be getting screened for depression and suicide during their regular check-ups.

BOISE — You’ve heard the devastating statistic - Idaho has the fifth highest suicide rate in the country.

Now, in the ongoing work to change that, St. Luke's is screening patients for depression and suicide during regular check-ups.

If you're an adult patient at St. Luke's, you'll be getting screened for depression and suicide at least once a year - depending on your risk - at regular check-ups with your primary care provider.

“If you're a teen between 12 and 17 you'll get screened every visit because data shows suicide is the second leading cause of death for Idahoans between 15 and 34," said Samuel Pullen, Behavorial Health Assistant Medical Director. “Our goal is to try to de-stigmatize this and really make this a part of hey this is a normal part of your health care.”

Standardized screening at every primary care clinic.

“This also aligns with the national strategy for suicide prevention,” said Pullen.

Aimed at identifying people who may be at risk for suicide and depression...

“Our hope is that this will trigger more conversations,” said Pullen.

“Hospital systems really do need to up their game in terms of assessment screening and treatment for persons at risk for suicide,” said John Reusser, Director, Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Behavioral health experts say often, patients are reluctant to reach out on their own.

“Vast majority of mental health care we actually deliver here in our health system occurs in our primary care clinic settings, occurs in emergency departments, occurs in our general hospitals,” said Pullen.

Data shows almost half of the patients who complete suicide had visited their primary care provider within 30 days.

“When we actually went and visited clinics we were seeing quite a bit of variability, so we really wanted to partner with primary care physician leaders and colleagues and say we'd like to standardize process across all clinics, and then also add a question about suicide risk,” said Pullen.

St. Luke's says if a patient screens positive for suicide in the health questionnaire form, primary care providers will give additional screening.

“Depending on their level of risk we are also looking at providing additional resources for primary care providers,” said Pullen.

They're also integrating behavioral health therapists or social workers into many primary care clinics.

“Suicide prevention in hospital systems is something that's been evolving for a long time and St. Luke's has taken this step to standardize their assessments for both young people and adults is just really encouraging,” said Reusser.

The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline says it's a step in the right direction.

“I think it's one component of an overall suicide prevention plan and system that's required to actually lower suicide deaths in Idaho," said Reusser.

A public health problem that takes a village to help prevent.

“We can do a better job of offering people help and support,” said Pullen.

“Ideally people will start to feel like it's OK, it's OK not to be OK, it's OK to ask for help,” said Reusser.

St. Luke's is working to partner with the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline.

The hotline already partners with Saint Alphonsus Emergency Department, and now they're setting up a system with St. Luke's to provide more resources and follow-up calls.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support, please reach out for help by calling or texting the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline at 208-398-4357. All calls are confidential and anonymous.

Before You Leave, Check This Out