Mdedge Psychcast

Christine Moutier, MD, joins Lorenzo Norris, MD, to discuss how clinicians can scale up interventions to reduce suicide rates amid the pandemic. Dr. Moutier is chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She reported no disclosures. Dr. Norris also reported no disclosures. Take-home points Death by suicide is a health outcome, which means that there is always a place to intervene, whether clinically, socially, or through research. Risks for suicide during the pandemic are known to increase; however, it is not a foregone conclusion that suicide deaths will rise during or afterward. Mental health diagnoses are a risk factor for suicide, and there will be interplay with stressors such as unemployment, financial stress, grief, and socioeconomic disparities. The basics of suicide prevention include screening for suicidal ideation at behavioral health appointments. If a change in risk is identified, clinicians should use a patient-centered intervention, such as a safety plan. Summary