According to research, most people who commit suicide speak with a doctor within three months of passing away. Clinical Approach to Preventing Suicide: An Introduction (CAPS), a presentation intended to inform primary care and emergency healthcare professionals about their role in suicide prevention, was introduced by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a prominent suicide prevention organization, in recognition of this crucial role of medical professionals. AFSP encourages the medical community to get in touch with a local AFSP chapter and tell their colleagues about this service.
This 90-minute presentation, which can be given in person or remotely, is designed for medical professionals who have the ability to prescribe, such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, and who have direct patient contact with patients who are 18 years of age or older. It offers brief interventions, treatment alternatives, and an overview of how to detect patients at risk for suicide. It can also be given to students in training.
Through their own clinical and personal experiences with suicide, AFSP’s Chapter Leadership Council member Ali Walker, DHSc, PA-C, RRT, and AFSP’s National Board Vice Chair Lisa Riley, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA, collaborated with AFSP to develop the program. They recognized the need to educate their peers on how to assess and care for their patients.
“Not every clinician or healthcare professional has the tools to appropriately identify patients who present with suicidal ideation or who are at risk,” Riley stated. “Through this program, healthcare providers will learn how to identify suicide risk warning signs, assess suicide risk, and create a patient-driven, collaborative safety plan.”
Medical practitioners with prescribing power can present the program after receiving training from AFSP. CAPS improves the knowledge and comprehension of medical professionals regarding research-based strategies for patients who are at risk of suicide.
“Patients experiencing suicidal ideation oftentimes seek meaningful connections with their providers and want to feel seen and be heard,” Walker stated. “Practices like thoughtful history taking, asking directly about suicide, and leveraging brief interventions to promote safety are highlighted to increase recognition and preparedness among treating providers.”
Saving lives and giving hope to anyone impacted by suicide, particularly those who have lost a loved one, are the goals of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP promotes suicide prevention via research and activism, fosters a culture of mental health literacy through community activities and public education, and offers assistance to individuals impacted by suicide. With its headquarters in New York and its Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C., AFSP is led by CEO Robert Gebbia and has local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C. with events and programs all over the country.
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