What patient education is given in suicide prevention?

Effective Patient Education for Suicide Prevention

Patient education in suicide prevention should focus on developing a personalized safety plan, removing access to lethal means, and involving family members in monitoring and follow-up, as these interventions have been shown to reduce suicidal behavior. 1

Key Components of Patient Education

Safety Planning

• Teach patients to create a detailed safety plan that includes:
  • Identifying personal warning signs of suicidal crisis 1
  • Developing internal coping strategies to manage suicidal thoughts 1
  • Listing social contacts who can provide distraction 1
  • Identifying family members and friends who can help during a crisis 1
  • Providing emergency contact information for mental health professionals and crisis hotlines 1
  • Creating a safe environment by removing access to lethal means 1, 2

Medication Education

• When prescribing medications, educate patients and families about:
  • Warning signs that require immediate physician contact, including:
    • New or increased thoughts of wanting to die
    • Self-destructive behaviors
    • Increased anxiety, panic, agitation, or aggression
    • Insomnia or irritability
    • Involuntary restlessness (akathisia)
    • Extreme elation or energy
    • Fast, driven speech
    • Unrealistic plans or goals 2
  • The importance of medication adherence and close monitoring, especially during the first 10-14 days of treatment 1

Means Restriction Education

• Provide clear instructions on removing or securing:
  • Firearms (most effective intervention for reducing suicide risk) 2, 1
  • Medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) 1
  • Alcohol and other substances 1
  • Other household items that could be used for self-harm 1

Family/Support Person Involvement

• Educate family members and support persons about:
  • The importance of monitoring the patient 1
  • Warning signs of suicidal behavior 1
  • When and how to seek emergency help 1
  • The need for consistent follow-up and treatment adherence 1

Evidence-Based Approaches

Direct Case-Finding Approach

• Systematic screening of adolescents (especially ages 15-19) is more effective than general educational programs 2
• Screen for:
  • Previous suicide attempts
  • Recent, serious suicidal preoccupations
  • Depression
  • Complications of substance or alcohol use 2

Avoiding Ineffective Approaches

• Do not rely on "no-harm" contracts, as they have limited value and should not replace vigilant monitoring 1
• General educational programs about suicide for high school students have not been shown to increase help-seeking behavior and may actually disturb previously suicidal adolescents 2

Follow-Up Planning

• Schedule mental health follow-up within 1-2 weeks 1
• Provide crisis resources and emergency contact information 1
• Establish clear communication channels between healthcare providers, patients, and families 1

Common Pitfalls to Address in Patient Education

• Underestimating risk (70% of individuals who died by suicide had been assessed by mental health professionals) 1
• Overreliance on "no-harm" contracts instead of comprehensive safety planning 1
• Inadequate follow-up and failure to identify precipitating factors 1
• Not involving family members in monitoring and support 1

Safety planning-type interventions have been shown to reduce the risk of suicidal behavior by 43% compared to usual care (relative risk 0.570), making them an essential component of suicide prevention education 2. The number needed to treat is 16, indicating that for every 16 patients who receive safety planning interventions, one case of suicidal behavior is prevented 2.