Addressing Suicide Potential and Prevention in Rural and Frontier Areas: Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Rural Primary Care Providers.

摘要

Suicide rates in rural areas are significantly higher than they are in urban areas for men of all ages and for young women.a Research shows that many people visit their primary care physician instead of a mental health provider for mental health problems. Up to 88% of patients who die by suicide had contact with their primary care physician (PCP) at some point during the year prior to their suicide and up to 66% had contact with their PCP during the month prior to their suicide.b These same individuals saw a mental health professional less than half as frequently as they saw a PCP in the year and month prior to their suicide.c Physicians, as well as other primary care providers, such as physicians assistants and nurses, are uniquely positioned to provide care that can reduce death by suicide and the suffering it cause in rural communities. Yet, primary care providers of all types receive little guidance and support for suicide prevention and they do not receive reimbursement for interventions with suicidal patients.