Healthcare Providers
Articles/Research
Research about suicide and the effectiveness of prevention efforts allows healthcare professionals to continuously adapt and strengthen their approach to working with clients in need. Below we have included the latest research, important resources, and helpful tools for healthcare professionals looking to stay current on best practices in the field.
Increase in Suicide in the United States, 1999–2014
The latest report by the Centers for Disease Control shows that suicide rates in the United States have surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years. The rise was particularly steep for adolescent and adult women. It was also substantial among middle-aged Americans.
Suicide Safe
Suicide Safe, SAMHSA's suicide prevention app for mobile devices and optimized for tablets, helps providers integrate suicide prevention strategies into their practice and address suicide risk among their patients. Suicide Safe is a free downloadable app based on SAMHSA's Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) card developed by Douglas Jacobs, MD.
Zero Suicide Initiative
Zero Suicide is a key concept of the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, a priority of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), a project of Education Development Center's Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), and supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under care within health and behavioral health systems are preventable. It presents both a bold goal and an aspirational challenge.
Review article of the APA Practice Guideline for Suicide Assessment and Treatment
PDF - Douglas G. Jacobs, MD; and Margaret Brewer, RN, MBA - 2004
A comprehensive review article of the APA Suicide Guidelines (PDF) is available to help you assess and treat patients with suicidal behaviors. Dr. Douglas Jacobs, President & Medical Director of Screening for Mental Health and founder of Stop A Suicide Today served as the Chair for the APA Practice Guideline on Suicide and co-authored this article, part of a special Psychiatric Annals edition on suicide, edited by Dr. Jan Fawcett.
Harvard Medical School Guide to Suicide Assessment and Intervention
Book - Douglas G. Jacobs, MD, Editor.
How can clinicians identify patients who may be at risk for suicide and take the necessary steps to reduce the risk? Written by the top experts in the field, this definitive guide provides clinicians with information and strategies for appropriate responses to patients or clients who are at risk for suicide.
The Joint Commission – Patient Safety Goals on Suicide
PDF - Douglas G. Jacobs, MD - 2007
The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 20,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. This 2007 resource guide discusses how to implement Joint Commission patient safety goals on suicide, which features the SAFE-T protocol.
APA Practice Guidelines
PDF - APA Practice Guidelines
American Psychiatric Association (APA) practice guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Complete APA Practice Guidelines