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    Working together to save lives

    Every day is the right day to help your patients who might be at risk for suicide. We’re here for you with resources and support to start that important conversation.

    Screening and assessment tools

    Identifying suicide risk plays a significant role in preventing it. In fact, the greatest impact may come from screening patients who don’t present with obvious symptoms. So, consider providing a minimum risk assessment for all your patients whether there is a clear risk of self-harm or not. Then readminister when it’s clinically appropriate.

    The Patient Safety Screener (PSS-3)

    This brief, well-tested and comprehensive tool can help you identify patients in the acute care setting who may be at risk of suicide. We use this as a universal screening tool.

    Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    This gold standard of screening and assessment tools can be used in a variety of community and health care settings. It requires training and is widely used by providers.

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    Helping patients make a prevention plan

    Safety planning should be an ongoing intervention and conversation — from the first assessment through transitions of care and beyond discharge — not just filling out a form. Making a prevention plan together engages and empowers your patients by giving them a leading role in prevention.

    Zero Suicide resources

    Lean how to actively engage patients at risk for suicide by working together to create a care plan.

    Brown-Stanley Patient Safety Plan template

    This is the gold standard to help with collaborative safety planning with patients, from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

    Brown-Stanley Safety Plan app

    Patients can use this mobile app to conveniently create a suicide safety plan (for iPhone and iPad only).

    My3 app

    This app can help patients build their network and safety plan, so they can help themselves or reach out to others if they’re having suicidal thoughts.

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    Reaching out after discharge

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    Reaching out after discharge

    The days after discharge from an inpatient psychiatric unit or emergency room can be a time of higher risk and repeat suicide attempts. Fewer than half of patients typically receive aftercare.

     

    But outreach to patients after a suicide attempt or suicidal thoughts may prevent those behaviors. Multiple contacts with patients can help reduce repeat attempts by:

     

    • Showing them that someone cares
    • Reminding them they have access to mental health care
    • Providing information about how to get this care
    • Empowering them to get treatment

    Outreach can include personal calls, letters, postcards, in-person or video visits, emails and texts.

     

    It’s also important to engage with a patient’s support system. Their family, friends or caretakers can help a patient build life skills and supportive relationships, encourage them to get treatment and stick with it, and provide support during times of crisis.

    Resources for you and your patients

    Resources for you and your patients

    As a provider or clinician, taking care of your mental well-being helps you take care of others. You can access these resources anytime you or your patients need support.

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    Let your patients know they’re not alone

    National Suicide Preventive Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) (TTY: 711)

    Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741

     

    Legal notices

    Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

    Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.