Decreasing the Risk of Suicide
Suicide a leading cause of death among Americans, with rates quadrupling in the past 40 years. Suicide is very complex, stemming from a variety of factors that often trace back to a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder. Risk factors include adverse life events/trauma, a family history of mental illness or substance abuse, family violence or physical/sexual abuse, a prior suicide attempt or a family history of suicide, or exposure to the suicidal behavior of others. Fortunately, suicide is preventable. With the appropriate assessment and treatment, together with ongoing support, many can overcome suicidal feelings and thoughts.
The Adult Suicide Prevention Program at Lakeside Behavioral Health System helps reduce the risk of suicide by addressing psychiatric illnesses associated with increased risk of suicidal behaviors, especially mood disorders, addictions and psychological traumas.
After a comprehensive psychiatric, addiction and suicide assessment, patients are assigned to the Suicide Prevention Program under the supervision of an attending psychiatrist. The whole treatment team also includes a psychologist specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and a community counselor.
The program includes:
- Extensive risk assessment throughout the program
- EMDR-based trauma treatment
- Interactive lectures
- Continued support system for relapse prevention
- Medication therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma resolution
- Comprehensive discharge planning